Tribute Western Counties West

Wadebridge 5,

Kingsbridge 13

Kingsbridge earned a hard-fought victory in difficult conditions at Wadebridge.

The visitors came away with a 5-13 win and were indebted to a fine forward display, where Matt Hamilton was outstanding.

Kingsbridge playing with a strong wind in the first half could and should have put more points on a Wadebridge side who had been defeated in their last two games and looked short of confidence.

Kings got off to a great start, with Treeby slotting a long-range penalty.

They followed it up with a pushover try after a sustained period of pressure. Wade­bridge were penalised and from the ensuing scrum Cope continued his fine form, scoring from the base of the scrum, Treeby narrowly missing the conversion to leave Kings leading 0-8.

Things then got worse for Wadebridge when they went down to 14 men after a dangerous tackle took out Burner in the air.

With the elements in their favour and facing a side one man down, Kings should have pulled further ahead but went in at the break still leading 0-8.

The second half brought about more pressure from Wade­bridge but Kings held up well and from their first visit into the home side’s half the home side were penalised again.

From the line-out Kings drove over for their second try, Mike Powell touching down, but the conversion was missed. Wadebridge suddenly began to find form and a beautifully weighted cross-field kick allowed them to score an unconverted try in the corner.

With the score now 5-13 the home side pressed and it took some great defence for Kings to hold them off till the final whistle. This was a win in difficult conditions to take Kings­bridge back to the top of the table.

Next Saturday sees Kingsbridge return to league action at High House for the visit of Cullompton at 2.30pm.

Kingsbridge A XV travel to face Torquay III while the Colts are without a match.