Tribute Western Counties West Kingsbridge 63, Wadebridge 7

KINGSBRIDGE treated their fans to a 10-try feast of open running rugby on Saturday as they opened their new home league campaign with the visit of Wadebridge to High House. After the disappointment of losing at Truro the previous weekend, the Blue and Whites put that result firmly behind them with an excellent all-round display of forward power and scintillating pace in the back line. The visitors had been relegated from the league above at the end of last season, so were a bit of an unknown entity. Kingsbridge opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Wadebridge illegally brought down a rampaging Kingsbridge drive and Ashley Treeby converted the penalty for a 3-0 lead. Kings increased their lead on 10 minutes as another strong forward surge saw the ball moved out wide on the overlap for winger Alex Allen to take the try well near the corner flag to make it 8-0. Only five minutes later and Kingsbridge moved further ahead as a series of rolling mauls within the Wadebridge 22 saw flanker Andy Rossiter crash over from short range. Treeby converted from near the posts to make it 15-0. Wadebridge then weathered the storm for a period before Kingsbridge scored two further tries in the build-up to the interval. The first saw winger Allen again benefit from the home forwards' superior pressure within the 22 as the visitors' defence was tied in and he was able to stroll over, in the corner, for his second try. Treeby converted for a 22-0 lead. The final try of the half saw Kingsbridge again exploit the overlap, but this time it was full-back George Banfield who cut back inside to touch down for the bonus-point try, which took the half-time score to 27-0. Kingsbridge began the second half much as they had finished the first. Skipper Ben Glover crossed over for try number five following good build-up work from number eight Jack Cope to score near the posts. Treeby again converted to make it 34-0. Try number six was scored by Treeby himself as a penalty advantage saw Treeby and winger Allen exchange a series of passes along the touchline before Treeby crossed over in the corner to make it 39-0. Wadebridge finally got themselves on the scoresheet as they took a quick tap penalty deep in the Kingsbridge 22 to reduce the score to 39-7, before Kingsbridge replied immediately with a hat-trick try for winger Allen to make it 44-7. A break from Allen then resulted in captain Glover crossing over for his second try and the accompanying Treeby conversion saw the half-century raised at 51-7. Try number nine was set up by new signing lock Jake Knight, who pounced on a loose ball near the half-way line and then found hooker James Westlake in support, who ran in to score from 30 yards. Treeby again converted to raise the score to 58-7. The final score of the game was fittingly an overlap in the corner following a period of pressure from the Kings forwards. This time it was replacement winger Greg Parrott who crossed over wide out for the 10th try.   Saturday sees Kings 1st XV travel to Plymouth to face Devonport in the league, while the A XV play their first home match of the season as they open their Devon Merit Table campaign with the visit of Exmouth thirds. Kingsbridge Colts also play their first match at home as they entertain Tavistock Colts in Devon Merit Table.  Club members are advised that there are still a small quantity of tickets available through the club for the England against South Africa international match at Twickenham on Saturday, November 15. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and anyone interested is advised to contact the club secretary immediately.