Devon Intermediate Cup
Kingsbridge 23,
Teignmouth 29
Maybe one game too far for the Blue and Whites, in what has been a very long season.
A third match with rivals Teignmouth saw the top two in the final WCW league table come together again for the final of the Devon Intermediate Cup.
Kingsbridge would have been hopeful of securing their first piece of county silverware since 2001 after their excellent performance the previous week in the league play-off final.
However, they were unable to reproduce the intensity and possession that they enjoyed in Gloucestershire and lost out narrowly to Teignmouth, who secured the league and cup double.
Kingsbridge opened the scoring, in front of a great crowd, in the seventh minute after an earlier effort hit the post.
A second penalty, from Kings full-back Tom Putt, on 14 minutes gave the home side a 6-0 lead as Kingsbridge enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.
Teignmouth reduced the deficit to 6-3 with a penalty of their own after Kingsbridge were penalised for crossing from the kick-off and then took the lead with the opening try.
A line-out from a penalty saw the visitors go for the catch and drive move and then catch the hosts by scoring in the corner on the blindside to make it 6-8.
Kingsbridge then went into self-destruct mode as they gave away a series of penalties which the visitors were only too pleased to accept.
The Teignmouth fly-half slotted successful kicks on 22, 24 and 38 minutes to extend their lead to 6-17 with the half-time interval approaching.
Thankfully into first half injury time Kingsbridge set up a line-out five metres from the Teignmouth line and the catch and drive saw the Kingsbridge maul moving towards the line.
Scrum-half Tristan Couch was the player on hand to gain the crucial touchdown and reduce the deficit to 11-17. Tom Putt added an excellent conversion to reduce it further to 13-17, to be followed by the half-time whistle.
Early in the second half Kingsbridge started strongly and a second try saw them take the lead.
A strong rolling maul deep in the Teignmouth 22 saw the forwards power over the try line with flanker Jack Fergusson gaining the touchdown.
Putt was on target again to see Kings lead 20-17.
Back came Teignmouth again midway through the half to cross over for their second try courtesy of a rolling maul from a line out just inside the Kingsbridge 22. With the conversion added, the hosts led 20-24.
Another Putt penalty put Kingsbridge just a single point behind at 23-24 but three further penalties and a drop goal all went agonisingly wide. The hosts them found themselves pinned back with injury time being played and the visitors were able to scramble a third try late in the match to extend their lead to 23-29.
A disappointing end to the 1st XV's campaign, but massive credit to the entire squad who kept the season going to the final minute of their final game.
Not many teams get to the end of April with so much still to play for. Two cup finals in two weekends is testament to the way that the squad has kept going right until the end of the season.
With the rugby finally over for the season the Kingsbridge faithful retired to the marquee and clubhouse to celebrate the success of the entire club, during the 2014-15 season, with their annual dinner and presentations evening and the 125th anniversary celebrations.
A whopping 280 players, members, supporters and guests enjoyed an excellent meal prepared by in house caterer Liz Turner and received speeches from past player Mark Goodman, club coach Chris Whitehead and 1st XV captain Ben Glover.
Awards were presented by President Jonathan Robinson in the following categories:
1st XV most improved player: Sean Woodland
A XV most improved player: Luke Davies
Colts XV most improved player:
Bradley Mercy
1st XV players' player: Ali Hamilton
A XV players' player: Rob Scott
Coaches' player:
Buster James
Colts XV
players' player:
Matthew Allen
Top senior try scorer: Matthew Allen
Most senior
appearances:
Jake Knight and
Buster James
Top tackler:
Jack Fergusson
Team of the season:
the 1st XV
Supporters' player
of the season:
Ben Glover
Trophy for
commitment to KRFC:
Chris Lee
Club personality
of the season:
Ben Glover
The final playing analysis for the three senior teams for 2014-15 was:
1st XV
Played 31, won 21, lost 10, points for 833, points against 496
A XV
Played 16, won seven, lost nine, points for 428, points against 351
Colts XV
Played 25, won 18, lost 7, points for 601, points against 364