Herts/Middlesex One Verulamians 25 Kilburn Cosmos 19 VERULAMIANS defeated Kilburn Cosmos at Cotlandswick on Saturday to continue their fine start to the season. With fly half Tom Crowne gaining field possession and Kilburn infringing, Vees were soon ahead

Herts/Middlesex One

Verulamians 25 Kilburn Cosmos 19

VERULAMIANS defeated Kilburn Cosmos at Cotlandswick on Saturday to continue their fine start to the season.

With fly half Tom Crowne gaining field possession and Kilburn infringing, Vees were soon ahead. Crowne kicked a penalty and then set up Nick Woolley to score the first try.

The home defence remained resolute as Kilburn attacked and Ali Luxford held up the centre over the line.

Vees suffered a blow when playmaker Crowne was injured, forcing centre Woolley into the fly half role. Brian Molyneux then added bulk to the centres and Ward entered the forward fray. The Vees pack continued to provide a source of possession and darts and thrusts from the Vees back line and back row forced Kilburn to infringe. With Kilburn continuing to infringe a quick tap penalty from Molyneux released Lidiard to score.

Before the half was complete the Kilburn centre, wing and back row combined to create an overlap, allowing a Kilburn score to take the score to 13-5.

Further injuries at half time lead to Moralee replacing Molyneux in the centres and Mather joining the forwards.

The Vees mounted a strong assault on the Kilburn line, and the might of the Vees packed resulted in a penalty try being awarded to take the score to 18-5.

Kilburn hit back with a converted try to reduce the deficit to 18-12 but skipper Luxford rallied the Vees and they regained control of the play.

With Kilburn unable to stop the Vee eight, penalties were awarded as Kilburn infringed. With the Vees kicking into the 22, the lineout excelled to produce crisp ball for the backs, with Rees hitting a strong line and bursting through tackles en route to the Kilburn try line. Tackled short, substitute hooker Tyler cleared out the resulting ruck, allowing Luxford to score with Lidiard converting.

Vees held a 25-12 lead into the final 10 minutes and although Kilburn converted their running style into a converted score late on, Vees held out to win 25-19.

Vees play Old Streetonians in their next league game, away on Saturday, October 4, but may be without several key players through injury and will also be without prop Ed Johns who is unavailable.

Verulamians: Stewart, Lowe, John, Wildey, Molyneux, Coyle, Moralee, Luxford, J. Woolley, Crowne, Waters, Rees, N. Woolley, Fordham, Lidiard. Subs: Tyler, Mather, Ward.