KINGSBRIDGE RFC 1st XV kick started their season with a confidence boosting 15-22 win over Truro.

In what was a scrappy, stop and start game, they emerged worthy winners showing glimpses of what they hope to deliver as the season progresses.

Strong defence and a set of tenacious young forwards should hold them in good stead. New coach Dan Gyles should be pleased with the commitment shown with the evergreen Stu Harris leading from the front.

The first half started with both sides probing and looking to make a breakthrough, but the game was disjointed and not helped by the constant stream of penalties awarded against both sides.

Truro pressed hard and put Kings on the back foot through their fly half who had a fine game, especially with his kicking out of hand. Kingsbridge countered well and were soon on the attack, started by a fine break from Ethan Dalton, taking them deep into Truro’s half.

Wonderful quick ball from the forwards saw the ball through the backs hands to wing Fin Halley to score on his first team debut.

Truro countered but the combination of Jack and Tom Winzer in the centre, a pairing that will give Kings such a strong defence, kept them behind the gain line. A deep kick took Truro into Kings territory, and a long miss pass put them on the scoresheet as their winger gathered and was over.

This proved to be Truro’s best period of the game and a fifty-twenty-two took them close again, but they squandered the chance with an illegal lineout. Kings edged ahead with a fine penalty from fly half Sam Jones.

Truro failed to take the chances they had to take the half time lead, even turning down a couple of easily kickable penalties leaving Kings just in front 5-8.

The second half was all about Kings as they dominated territory and possession but struggled to turn it into points.

Kings’ scrum, with the returning Thomson after a season plagued by injury, started to dominate. But they failed to take the opportunities, something they will have to address as the season develops.

Time and time again, they got close but failed to score. They were punished as Truro broke out after a poor kick was gathered and scored a long range try to take the lead.

Kings responded immediately with a series of good drives that saw Harris over. Jones adding the extras.

Back came Truro to level the score with a long-range penalty. A scrum against the head put Kings into an attacking position where fly half Jones wriggled through to score. Jones converting his own try.

Truro gamely tried to get back into the game, but the Kingsbridge defence held up magnificently to secure the 15-22 win.