Tribute Western Counties West
Kingsbridge 27, Okehampton 10
Kingsbridge duly complete the league double over Okehampton at a wet and windy High House on Saturday to strengthen their fourth-place position in the league table.
The Blue and Whites had secured a 25-35 bonus-point victory when the two teams met at Okehampton back in October, so were hopeful of extending their current run as the two teams met for the second time.
The hosts faced the strong wind during the first half hoping to keep any scoring from the visitors to a minimum and then use the elements in their favour during the second half.
Despite the recent bad weather, the High House pitch was in excellent condition that allowed for a more open running game than may have been expected.
Kingsbridge opened the scoring in the eighth minute as a break from hooker James Westlake saw him take play deep into the Okehampton half.
A series of rucks and mauls in the visitors' 22 saw play taken up to the try line and from close range it was appropriate that it was Westlake who crossed over to score. Centre Ashley Treeby converted for a 7-0 lead.
Okehampton reduced the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty on 15 minutes before taking the lead against the run of play with an interception score from half way. The simple conversion took the score to 7-10 and remained the score until half-time.
Kingsbridge levelled matters immediately from the second half kick-off as the visitors gave away a penalty which Treeby converted to make it 10-10.
Almost immediately Kingsbridge retook the lead again as forward pressure within the Okes' 22 saw the ball swept wide through the backs for full-back George Banfield to cross over in the corner for his ninth try of the season.
Treeby added an excellent touchline conversion to see Kingsbridge go 17-10 up.
After 18 minutes of the second half, the hosts increased their lead still further as forward pressure within the Okes' 22 once again told.
A line-out on the Okes' 22 saw the forwards drive play towards the posts, where number eight Jack Cope crossed over for the hosts' third try. Treeby was again on target with the conversion to take the score to 24-10.
Treeby extended the lead again with a penalty from distance to make it 27-10 as the teams entered the final quarter of the match with Kingsbridge hopeful of adding the fourth try for the bonus point. However the visitors rallied well in the final minutes to keep the hosts at bay.
Scorers: James Westlake, George Banfield, Jack Cope; Ashley Treeby two penalties and three conversions.
This Saturday sees Kingsbridge travel to face bottom side Tavistock in the league while the A XV entertain Tavistock seconds in the Merit Table at 2.30pm at High House.
Kingsbridge Colts entertain Barnstaple Colts in the Devon Colts Cup Merit Table at 2pm.
The Colts were delighted earlier this week when they found out they have a home draw in the fifth round of the National Colts Cup.They will take on Buckingham Colts at High House on or before Sunday, February 22 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kings are the only team from the far South West left in the cup.