Tribute Western Counties West

Kingsbridge 18,   Okehampton 29

KINGSBRIDGE'S penultimate WCW league match of the season saw Okehampton as the visitors to High House on a sun-drenched president's day last Saturday.

Having already enjoyed a very entertaining match between the club's A XV and the junior team coaches, the large crowd made the most of the best day of the year so far to see if Kingsbridge could follow up last week's excellent victory over Torquay with another win.

Indeed, Kingsbridge made the perfect start as they opened the scoring after only three minutes. A move starting deep in their own half saw a break from flanker Matt Hamilton taken on by number eight Jack Cope.

When he was halted the ensuing ruck saw the ball moved out to the back line for full-back Ashley Treeby to cross and make the score 5-0.

Within ten minutes the visitors had levelled matters as they crossed over for a try off the back of scrum deep in the Kingsbridge 22.

They then took the lead eight minutes later with a second try after the hosts had been unable to halt a strong break from the Okes scrum-half.

On 25 minutes Kingsbridge levelled the scores again as they exploited an overlap along the top touchline for centre Matt Gibbens to touch down in the corner. The score remained 10-10 until half time.

Early in the second half Kingsbridge retook the lead with an Ashley Treeby penalty before the visitors hit back strongly with two long-range tries, both on the overlap, as the Kingsbridge defence was stretched to open up a 13-22 lead.  

Kingsbridge hit back again with around 15 minutes remaining as a period of sustained pressure in the Okehampton 22 saw flanker Duncan Lilburn take a great line off the back of a ruck to crash over and make the score 18-22.

With time running out and the result still in the balance, Kingsbridge set up camp in the visitors' 22, but were turned over at a scrum and the visitors went the length of the field to score their fifth try.

Try scorers – Matt Gibbens, Duncan Lilburn, Ash Treeby.

Penalties – Ash Treeby. This Saturday sees Kingsbridge round off the season with the final game of the WCW league campaign as they host bottom club Honiton in a match sponsored by Tally Ho Coaches.

Kick-off will be at 3pm.

Kingsbridge A XV entertain Tavistock IIs in their final Devon Merit Table match of the season and will kick-off at 2.30pm on the Longfield Pitch.