Sat 21 Sep 2024
The second Cornish team to visit High House had made a good start to their season and the home faithful were expecting a hard fought encounter and that’s what it turned out to be. A large crowd bolstered by the ladies attending the annual ‘Scrummies’ lunch enjoyed not only glorious September sunshine but a cracking good game of rugby.
Somehow Kingsbridge fielded not only a full blown 1st XV but also three substitutes – a testament to the power of persuasion. A first appearance of the season for our game changing tackler of last season seasons cup final – Ash Thuel and also for Ben Banner. Ben is usually 2nd XV Captain but showed he is more that capable of playing at this level. Also back from suspension was Toby Baldry, show slotted into the centre position vacated by Captain Freddie Buckle, with Dan Jarvis taking on the Captaincy.
Kingsbridge were first on the score sheet as Baldry raced through to give the home side a 5-0 lead. Baldry was starting to show what a valuable player he is to Kingsbridge and he made another searing break to feed Stan Gerrard, who raced in near the posts for the second try. Fly half Ben Newman’s conversion made the score 12-0.
The home side seemed to slow the pace of the game down, it was pretty hot out on the field, and Penryn started to make inroads into the Kingsbridge defence. One such foray resulted in a penalty and gave the visitors their first points of the afternoon.They soon added a second penalty as Ben Newman was sin binned and at 12-6 it was starting to look as it was anybody’s game. Penryn seemed to sense Kingsbridge were slacking off a bit and after some good work in their midfield they scored in the corner. The conversion was missed as Kingsbridge led 12-11 at the interval.
The half time team talk seemed to ignite more passion into the side and it wasn’t long before scrum half Joe Banfield scooted in for the home sides third try which Newman converted to increase their lead to 19-6. That lead soon became 26-11 as Banfield was again on the end of a passing move to touch down for the bonus point try. Newman again converted.
Penryn were mow running out of steam and Kingsbridge took full control. With their forwards dominating they were able to secure most of the play and a final try from Henry Rich, which was converted by Newman gave the home side a comfortable 33-11 victory, which had seemed unlikely at the start of the second half.
A good afternoons work for the home side and hopefully a tonic for Manager Kevin Baldry as he recovers from surgery. Next weeks trip to Penzance may be more challenging but the Blue and Whites have the players and the ability.
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