Tribute Western Counties West
Truro 22,
Kingsbridge 20
KINGSBRIDGE’S 10-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end in their penultimate league game of the season at Truro on Saturday as they fell to only their fourth defeat of the campaign by the narrowest of margins.
League rivals Okehampton still have three matches remaining to play and can now overtake Kingsbridge if they gain maximum points from those matches.
With outstanding fixtures still to be played, due to the bad weather earlier in the season, right up until April 30, it has now been confirmed that the league play-off will not be played until Saturday, May 7.
Kingsbridge, playing against the strong wind during the first half, started strongly at Truro on Saturday and opened the scoring after only five minutes of play.
A penalty conceded by the hosts for a high tackle in the home 22 saw Kingsbridge put the penalty into the corner for the line-out. The catch-and-drive move saw prop Mike Powel gain the touchdown for a 0-5 lead.
The visitors’ lead was very short lived as Truro went down the other end and scored a try from a scrum on the Kingsbridge 10-metre line, following a number of missed tackles in the 22. The easy conversion saw Truro lead 7-5.
Only five minutes later and the hosts were further ahead as missed tackles again cost Kingsbridge dear. The hosts’ second try was also converted to put the hosts 14-5 ahead.
Worse was to come for the visitors as an attack of their own, on 25 minutes, was intercepted near half way and the ball was moved out to their winger, who raced into the corner to score and put them 19-5 ahead.
At this stage it was imperative that Kingsbridge got the next score so they did not find themselves too far adrift at the interval.
This they did as they set up camp deep in the Truro 22 and after a series of rucks and mauls saw prop Buster James held up over the line, the resulting five-metre scrum saw the visitors’ pack drive the hosts back over the try line where number eight Jack Cope gained the crucial touchdown.
The score now stood at 19-10 which went unchanged up until the half-time break.
With the wind now at their backs, Kingsbridge were hopeful of reducing the deficit in sight of victory number 22 as they used the elements to their advantage.
A number of times they had line-outs in strong positions in the Truro 22, but were unable to hang on to possession to pose a strong enough threat to the Truro line.
Midway through the second half Kingsbridge full-back George Banfield reduced the deficit to 19-13 with a penalty, but however hard they tried the Blue and Whites could not puncture the tight Truro defence.
Into the last 10 minutes and Kingsbridge put another penalty into the corner for the line-out. Thankfully this time possession was won and following two mauls play was up on the Truro try line, where flanker Matt Hamilton managed to touch down for the try.
Banfield’s successful conversion put Kingsbridge narrowly ahead at 19-20 with seven minutes remaining.
Play restarted and Kingsbridge had the chance to clear their 22, but failed and with possession turned over a penalty was given away just outside the Kingsbridge 22 on the left and the hosts calmly slotted the kick to retake the lead at 22-20 – a lead which they held on to for the final 10 minutes.
This weekend sees Kingsbridge complete their WCW league programme with the visit of Saltash to High House, with KO at 3pm.
Kingsbridge A XV complete their season with the visit of Saltash seconds with kick-off at 2.30pm on the Longfield Pitch. These matches are preceded by the junior presentations, which get under way from 10.30am as part of the club’s Presidents Day.