Tribute Western Counties West

Honiton 10

KINGS brought the season at High House to a close on Saturday with their largest victory since October as they entertained relegated Honiton in the final WCW league game.

With the visitors already knowing their fate and the Blue and Whites knowing that they were safe in ninth place, this was a chance for an open, running game and for the teams to express themselves ahead of the summer break.

Kingsbridge certainly did that in running in eight tries and the visitors did their best to keep the game moving in front of a large sun-drenched High House crowd.

Kingsbridge were off the mark early in the game as they crossed over for their first try after only seven minutes.

A penalty gave them a line-out near the Honiton line and after winning the ball, the ensuing ruck saw flanker Duncan Lilburn peel off to touch down.

Five minutes later and the hosts were further ahead as number eight Jack Cope galloped in from the 22 to score. Full-back Ashley Treeby added the conversion for a 12-0 lead.

Try number three came on the half-hour as Kingsbridge forward pressure within the Honiton 22 eventually told as the ball was moved along the back line for fly-half Ben Newman to wrong foot the covering defence and score.

The only further addition to scoring in the first half was a Honiton penalty which left the score 17-3 at the interval.

Kingsbridge continued where they had left off at the start of the second half by extending their lead still further with their fourth try of the game to give themselves the bonus point.

After putting pressure on Honiton in their own 22, the ball was turned over and, running a great angle, the ball was taken on by centre Ben Glover, who scythed through the last line of defence to score. Treeby's successful conversion increased the lead to 24-3.

Lilburn powered his way through for his second try to take the score to 29-3 before Honiton were rewarded for their persistence as they scored a try wide out in the corner. The excellent conversion reduced the deficit to 29-10. That, however, was as close as they were to get as Kingsbridge finished the stronger by running in three further tries in the final quarter.

The first of these and the hosts' sixth of the match saw winger Liam Wills cross over wide out on the overlap after the Honiton defence had been tied in before lock Dieniol Jones crashed through the Honiton defence from short range for try number seven. Treeby's conversion of that try saw Kingsbridge lead 41-10.

The hosts completed the scoring five minutes from time when a 15-yard rolling maul in the Honiton 22 saw lock Neil Darke gain the touchdown for try number eight. Treeby again converted to round off a great result for the Blue and Whites, who can now relax and recharge their batteries for a couple of months.

Try scorers: Duncan Lilburn (two), Jack Cope, Ben Newman, Neil Darke, Dieniol Jone, Liam Wills, Greg Parrott.

Conversions: Ash Treeby (four). 

Tavistock would have been a swear word at Kingsbridge last weekend after their 2nd XV pulled out of their scheduled Merit Table trip to High House late on Friday. This left the Kingsbridge A XV without a match on the final Saturday of the season.

 

2012-13 Season final analysis (seniors) : 1st XV: played 28, won 11, drawn 2, lost 15, points for 603, points against 569.

A XV: played 20, won 13, drawn 2, lost 5, points For 770, points against 291.

Colts XV: played 20, Won 13, drawn 0, lost 7, points for 491, points against 240.