Tribute Western Counties West

Kingsbridge 41, Torquay 22

Due to injuries and un­availabilities, Kings­bridge were forced into fielding one of their youngest-ever first teams at home to Tor­quay last Saturday, where the average age of the starting line up was just 22.

This, however, failed to prove an issue as the speed and fitness of the young Kingsbridge team totally overwhelmed the visitors during a one-sided first half in which they scored six tries.

The home side were on the board as early as the second minute as a rolling maul from a line-out on the Torquay 22 saw the Kingsbridge forwards take play close to the Torquay line before flanker Dan Barlow peeled off to touch down.

Older brother Matt Barlow, assuming the early kicking duties, added the conversion to see the home team lead 7-0.

Torquay reduced the deficit with a penalty on 14 minutes before the hosts crossed over for their second try of the game.

With an overlap on the left of the pitch, fly-half Ben Newman and winger Billy Burner combined to send full-back George Banfield in to touch down and take the score to 12-0.

On 24 minutes good build-up work by centre Joe Banfield saw him put winger Burner into score the home team's third try and Matt Barlow's successful conversion saw Kingsbridge draw away to 19-3. Torquay reduced the deficit on the half-hour with a five-metre catch and drive try that saw the scoreline pulled back to 19-8.

However, two minutes later Kingsbridge pulled away again as strong forward play saw Kingsbridge take the ball deep into the Torquay 22 and, with the defence stretched, the ball was switched right to see prop Buster James plough through the defence to touch down for the bonus-point try.

Kingsbridge were still not done as, with Torquay on the attack in the Kings­bridge half, winger Burner anticipated superbly to intercept and race 50 yards for his second try and the home team's fifth to make the score 29-8.

The final try of the first half was probably the pick.

Kingsbridge stole possession deep in their own 22 and with the entire back line involved, the ball was moved swiftly through the hands to result in winger Greg Parrott touching down in the bottom corner to take the score to 34-8 at the interval.

The second half understandably failed to live up to the free running of the first half as the result was pretty much already decided.

Torquay, to their huge credit, failed to give up and kept up the pressure in the Kings­bridge 22.

After 10 minutes of the half they reduced the deficit to 34-15 with a pushover try – des­pite the fact that the ball had been blatantly dropped in the build up to the score.

The visitors were then rather hastily awarded a penalty try as the Kingsbridge pack was reduced in numbers due to a yellow card.

The conversion was added to see the score line closed to 34-22 with the visitors sensing that they may be able to pick up a couple of bonus points.

However, the hosts had the final say as they launched an attack from the half way line in the final minute of the game.

A break along the top touchline from centre Joe Ban­field saw him put winger Parrott away for his second try of the game wide out. Full-back George Banfield added the conversion to complete the scoring.

Squad – G. Banfield, B. Burner, J. Banfield, J. Trout, G. Parrott, B. Newman, M. Barlow, B. James, C. Brooking, J. Vincent, J. Knight, S. Woodland, D. Barlow, J. Fergusson, J. Cope (C), N. Burnett, A. Hamilton. Scorers – Billy Burner two tries, Greg Parrott two tries, George Banfield one try, one conversion, Dan Barlow one try, Buster James one try, Matt Barlow two conversions.

This Saturday sees Kingsbridge travel to face Wadebridge in the WCW league while the A XV and Colts XV currently have no fixtures.

On Boxing Day Kingsbridge A XV have the traditional match with Kings­bridge Grey­hounds, which kicks off at 11am. The first XV then travel to face local rivals Salcombe at Twomeads for the an­nual Boxing Day afternoon match.

The Kingsbridge senior teams have no matches on Saturday, December 27, with normal fixtures resuming on January 3.