Sat 7 Sep 2024
Instead of a glorious September afternoon, the weather on Saturday resembled a dark November one as Kingsbridge kicked off their new league campaign by hosting Redruth 2nds at High House.
The visitors had remained unbeaten over the previous two seasons so a tough match was expected. As it turned out that is exactly what happened, writes President Jonathan Robinson.
Kingsbridges starting XV had a familiar look about it with just a few players missing from the team that won their epic encounter in the final of the Papa Johns Cup back in May. With Toby Baldry still suspended, Sam Jones lotted in at outside centre with Joe Banfield back at scrum half. The team will miss Jack Winzer, off on a rite of passage trip to New Zealand, but have the capable replacement in brother Tom.
High House looked immaculate, a testament to the dedication of ground supremo Mike Shute and his comrade in arms Dai Jarvis - they have had a little bit of help from upstairs. ie incessant rain !!
Kingsbridge defended the shed end in the first half as Redruth kicked off. It soon became apparent that the visitors were a well drilled side with plenty of players who had played for the 1st XV, several leagues up on Kingsbridge.
The first quarter was a very tight affair with the visitors kicking for position and the home side tending to run the ball. The visitors were first on the score sheet as an easy penalty gave them three points.
Kingsbridge were more than matching the opposition up front, the lineout being a real problem for Redruth. Time and again they over threw and when Jake Vincent gets his hands on the ball at the end of the line out , he tends to take a bit of stopping. From one such charge, the ball ended up in skipper Freddie Buckle’s hands and he carved his way through the Redruth defence for a fine individual try. An unsuccessful conversion left the score at 5-3. This lead didn’t last long as Redruth were awarded a penalty, which was converted to give them a 5-6 lead at half time.
Playing down to the shed end somehow always seems to suit Kingsbridge better and it was soon apparent that the match was going to be decided by Kingsbridge forward power and the Redruth defence. Several times the home side appeared to be about to score and somehow a Redruth player would get his body under the ball or there would be a loose pass from Kingsbridge. Eventually the constant pressure told and the ever green Stu Winzer crashed over for an unconverted try to put Kingsbridge back in front at 10-6.
The hosts kept the pressure on and were rewarded with another try from Winzer who ran in almost unopposed to extend the lead to 15-6. Fly half Ben Newman was successful this time to make the final score 17-6.
A thoroughly efficient effort from Kingsbridge to overcome their Cornish visitors who will be going to make life very difficult for many teams in the league this season.
Photos courtesy of our two damp snappers - Linda Mitchelmore and Abi Tucker.
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