Western Counties (West) Kingsbridge 22, Wellington 24

THIS was a hugely improved performance from Kingsbridge, but alas it was not quite enough to give them the victory that their current league position is crying out for.  Kings remain third from bottom, just five points above Tiverton, who beat Truro 13-7 on Saturday and who have a game in hand.The Blue and Whites have no game this weekend, so have plenty of time to steel themselves for the relegation fight ahead.On Saturday, both teams missed early penalty attempts, but Wellington took the lead with a successful strike to lead 0-3 on 12 minutes. Kingsbridge defended well throughout the first half and then stunned the visitors on the half hour as scrum-half Tristan Couch put winger James Trout away on the overlap to score in the corner.Back came Wellington immediately to retake the lead with, what has become Kingsbridge's nemesis this season, a rolling maul. From a lineout just inside the Kingsbridge 22, they drove the hosts back over their own line to take the score to 5-10 as the try was converted.Play returned to the Wellington 22 straight away and a Kingsbridge lineout saw them catch and drive the visitors back to within 10 yards of their line. Again it was an overlap on the blind side that saw Kingsbridge exploit the space available, and this time it was lock Andrew Rossiter who squeezed into the corner to touch down and level the score at 10-10. This remained the score until the interval.In the second half Wellington retook the lead with a converted try to take the score to 10-17 before Kingsbridge reduced the deficit again with an individual try from fly-half Ben Newman. Off the back of a scrum on the visitors' 22, he took the defence out before side-stepping his way back inside and beating the defence to the line to make it 15-17. The score remained unchanged until 10 minutes from time when a superb 50-yard break from full-back Ashley Treeby took play deep into the Wellington half.Then, when he was held up, he managed to find centre Ed Lennon up in support, who powered his way through the 22 to touch down under the posts. This gave Kingsbridge their fourth try and a well-earned bonus point. Treeby converted to put Kingsbridge 22-17 ahead with time running out.Regrettably the visitors forced their way back down to the Kingsbridge 22 immediately and scored their third try near the posts. The conversion was added to see Wellngton go ahead again at 22-24.There was one final hope for the home side to steal the result as they were awarded a last-minute penalty on the Wellington 22.However, tragically the kick was put wide and the final whistle sounded immediately afterwards. Nevertheless, two bonus points towards safety are better than none at all.While the first team will be resting up this weekend, the A team will be hosting Teignmouth 2nds at High House in the Devon Merit Table at 2.30pm. The Colts travel to face Tavitsock Colts in their Merit Table, meanwhile. All of the final round of Six Nations matches will be shown on the big screen in the clubhouse on Saturday from midday onwards.A further note to all club members is that the management committee of the club are offering free entry to all current members for the final first XV home league match of the season. The local derby with Ivybridge takes place at High House on Saturday, March 31. Members are advised to bring their members' admission card with them to confirm eligibility.