Tribute Western Counties (West)

Bude 19

KINGSBRIDGE returned to league action on Saturday with the arrival of Cornish visitors Bude to High House.

Having endured a blank weekend the Saturday before due to a waterlogged pitch at Bideford, the hosts produced a stunning opening 25 minutes in which they scored four tries, before they took their foot off the pedal to allow the visitors back into the match.

Thankfully a strong second-half performance snuffed out any chance that Bude may have had of causing an upset.

The hosts opened the scoring after only two minutes as a strong break from skipper Andy Rossiter, following a successful Kingsbridge line-out, was followed up by a surge for the line from centre Tom Speechly, and despite being tackled just short of the try line he was able to stretch over to score. On 12 minutes the home side extended their lead further as a five-metre scrum saw number eight Jack Cope pick up and cross over to touch down. Fly-half Ben Newman converted for a 12-0 lead.

On 17 minutes great forward possession on the Bude 22 saw Newman show and go and break the Bude defensive line to touch down for Kingsbridge's third try. The conversion of his own try took the score to 19-0.

On 25 minutes several waves of pressure within the Bude 22 resulted in centre Gareth Townsend crossing over, wide out on the overlap, for Kingsbridge's fourth try and the bonus point.

Regrettably for the home team, they then seemed to sit back on their lead and switch off.

Firstly a needless turnover on their own 22 when isolated saw the visitors steal the ball and run through to score against the run of play.

The conversion took the score to 24-7. A poor restart then gifted the visitors a second try immediately from the kick-off and the score was reduced further to 24-12.

When the hosts then conceded a third try, two minutes later, the riot act was well and truly read to the team by coach Nick Burnett as the game had been totally turned on its head in the space of five minutes as the score now stood at 24-19.

Fortunately the coach's words of wisdom struck the right chord and the hosts returned to the Bude 22, where centre Speechly powered through off the back of a five-metre scrum to score Kingsbridge's fifth try. Newman's third conversion took the score to 31-19 at the interval.

Immediately from the restart the hosts increased their lead further still.

A failed clearance from the kick-off was run back by winger Matt Gibbens and the subsequent forward pressure within the Bude 22 resulted in flanker Neil Darke going over from close range for try number six. Newman converted to make it 38-19.

The hosts were now on a roll and despite a spirited defence from the visitors it was evident that it was a case of damage limitation from their point of view.

Kingsbridge's seventh try came through Ashley Treeby, who powered through the back line from full back to score near the posts and Newman's fifth conversion took the score to 45-19.

Try number eight followed a slick back line move with the ball going out wide to replacement winger George Banfield, who raced into the corner to score a try on his 1st XV debut and try number nine came in the opposite corner for left winger Liam Wills, who was on the receiving end of a quick five-metre tap penalty move.

A very satisfying scoreline and result for the Blue and Whites ahead of tougher challenges to come in the next few weeks.

Newton Abbot III's 5,

Kingsbridge A XV 76

And so the run continues .... Kingsbridge A XV made it six wins from six games played so far in this season's Devon Merit Table 2 with their second 70-point victory over Newton Abbot this season.

Kingsbridge were soon into their rhythm and opened the scoring with the first of five (yes five) tries from club physio and centre John Moore.

Their lightweight pack struggled at times against the far heavier home pack, but their superior fitness and willingness to make tackle after tackle more than made up for it. he back row were also superb in winning ball.

Kings' rhythm continued and with neat off-loading the order of the day and contact resisted, tries flowed freely, twelve of them to be precise.

With eight of the tries converted, Kingsbridge can be delighted a scoreline that will do their points differential no end of good.

Scorers – John Moore (five), Ben Glover (two), Tom Beattie (one try, two conversions), Greg Parrott (one try, three conversions), Andrew Horton, Ashok Lynn-Bertoli, Alan Rowdon, Steve Hamilton (three conversions). 

This weekend sees Kingsbridge 1st XV travel to Plymouth to face Devonport Services in the league while the A XV and the Colts will both be entertaining Brixham at High House.

The club hope that as many supporters as possible will make the short journey to Plymouth to cheer on the 1st XV in what will be a challenging mid-table encounter.

The A XV will face Brixham III's on the High House pitch at 3pm while the Colts play Brixham Colts on the Longfield Pitch at 2.30pm.

Kingsbridge's new events committee will be hosting their first fund raising event at the Clubhouse on Saturday, November 10.

'A Question Of Sport' is open to teams of up to six people and kicks off at 8pm. The cost is £10 per head and includes supper.

The organisers are encouraging sporting fancy dress and prizes will be awarded for the most imaginatively dressed team.

So why not come along with your mates and enjoy a fun night out?

For further information and to enter a team contact Tony Rayworth on 07778 633898, Sue Darke on 07855 878604 or Bett Rhymes on 01548 560564.