The annual Shire Hall Kicking Cup took place yesterday in perfect conditions. The rules were tweaked slightly this year with all contestants attempting all the kicks. Former winners Matt Margot, Gwyn Robins and Rhys Stewart were all in attendance with Rhys looking to win for a record 5th time.
After last year's performance, Gwyn reverted back to wearing pumps which held him in good stead when he won the cup but this wasn't to be the case this year. Rhys struggled to find his form probably due to his lack of matches after his injury last season and he missed what should have been easy kicks. After the first kicks, it looked very much like a straight shoot out between veteran Matt Margot and the young pretender Ryan Darby.
After everyone had attempted the dreaded drop kick, Ryan finished the tournament with a perfect score of 7 out of 7 to be crowned champion. It should be noted that Ollie Homan-Green landed his drop goal and that Tom Birch hit the crossbar three times!
So a new name will be engraved on the trophy - well done Ryan!
Participants: Andy Carson, Matt Margot, Tom Birch, Laurie Moss, Alex Webb, Ryan Darby, Rhys Stewart, Tom Overend,, Ollie Homan-Green, Gwyn Robins and Harry Stubbs.
After last year's performance, Gwyn reverted back to wearing pumps which held him in good stead when he won the cup but this wasn't to be the case this year. Rhys struggled to find his form probably due to his lack of matches after his injury last season and he missed what should have been easy kicks. After the first kicks, it looked very much like a straight shoot out between veteran Matt Margot and the young pretender Ryan Darby.
After everyone had attempted the dreaded drop kick, Ryan finished the tournament with a perfect score of 7 out of 7 to be crowned champion. It should be noted that Ollie Homan-Green landed his drop goal and that Tom Birch hit the crossbar three times!
So a new name will be engraved on the trophy - well done Ryan!
Participants: Andy Carson, Matt Margot, Tom Birch, Laurie Moss, Alex Webb, Ryan Darby, Rhys Stewart, Tom Overend,, Ollie Homan-Green, Gwyn Robins and Harry Stubbs.
