Tribute Western Counties West

Kingsbridge 8,

Torquay 0

KINGSBRIDGE put the disappointment of the previous week's loss at Ivybridge firmly behind them as they welcomed third-placed Torquay to High House on the Blue and Whites Sponsors Day.

Twelve hours of steady rain had left the High House pitch extremely wet and heavy and under normal circumstances the game would probably have been postponed.

However, with weekends running out to play the last three league games, the club decided to carry on and that decision was upheld as the referee confirmed that the pitch was fit for play.

There were several changes to the team that had played the previous weekend, but those players that came in certainly filled the boots very well as Kingsbridge put in one of their best performances of the season in what were very testing conditions.

Kings opened the scoring in the 10th minute courtesy of an Ashley Treeby penalty after the visitors had been guilty of pulling down the rolling maul after Kingsbridge had driven them back 20 yards following a penalty line-out.

The home team then extended the lead on the half-hour as a break from number eight Jack Cope resulted in centre Ben Glover – making a very welcome return to the team – crossing over wide out to touch down.

The strong wind made the conversion nigh-on impossible but the hosts maintained their 8-0 lead into the interval.

Conditions failed to improve as the game went on and handling became more and more difficult in the wet and muddy conditions. The Kingsbridge forwards however were in devastating form as they kept possession for long periods, limiting the visitors to very few scoring opportunities.

When the visitors did get into Kingsbridge territory, the defence was resolute and attacks were rebuffed with great authority.

As it turned out there were to be no further scores in the second half as Kingsbridge safely negotiated the conditions and the visitors to record an invaluable win to an appreciative if damp home support.

Scorers – Ben Glover (1 try), Ash Treeby (1 penalty).

This Saturday sees Kingsbridge host their annual Presidents Day at High House from 10.15 am. The seasons awards for the Junior age groups (Under 6's to Under 16's) start off the day and will be followed by a match between the A XV and a junior coaches and parents team at noon – sure to be an entertaining spectacle. The Colts XV entertain North Devon Barbarians Colts team on the Longfield Pitch at 2.30pm and the 1st XV entertain Okehampton on the High House pitch at 3pm in their penultimate WCW league game of the season.