Sat 13 Dec 2025
What a game, what a watch! A truly brave performance from Kingsbridge saw them defeat mid-table rivals Barnstaple Seconds 27-24 in the most entertaining game of their season so far. Reduced to twelve men for a period, and playing the last twenty minutes switching between thirteen and fourteen players, the referee deemed Kings to be transgressing constantly, handing out yellow cards as if he were Santa on Christmas day! King’s defence against a quality set of backs from Barnstaple was truly outstanding, difficult to single out individuals after such a strong team performance but Jack Winzer and Toby Redwood deserve special mention.
The game started at an electrifying pace as both teams looked to make early in-roads. Kings pressed hard and were nearly over as a fine break by Tom Winzer, with Stu Harris on hand, took them close. Keeping the pressure on, Kings were rewarded by quick thinking from Harris which saw him dive over from a quickly taken penalty. Barnstaple recovered well and were soon on the attack, resulting in a try out wide, which was converted to take them into the lead. Kings were back immediately as a drop from the kick-off resulted in the alert Canevali kicking on and racing through to touch down. Banfield adding the extra. Kings, keeping pressure on, went further ahead after a great turnover from Jack Winzer saw George Banfield strike a wonderful 50:22 kick deep into Barnstaple twenty-two. From the resulting lineout, Redwood drove on and quick recycled ball put Tom Winzer over. The last ten minutes of the half saw Kings start to fall foul of the referee and from a series of penalties Barnstaple edged close to Kings line, eventually scoring to leave the half-time score 17-12.
The second half was all about King’s heart and collective will as they withstood a Barnstaple onslaught. Bringing on two hefty replacements, the visitors piled on the pressure and were constantly looking as if they would overpower Kings. But a fabulous break out by Harris, a constant threat throughout the game, saw him kick on and chase from Kings twenty-two, nearly touching down, but it was skipper Henry Rich who was in support to claim the glory. Banfield converting. Kings followed up with what proved to be a great decision by Rich as he elected to take a shot at goal rather than go for territory, George Banfield slotting a wonderful penalty from long distance to take Kings into a fifteen-point lead. A lead that Barnstable couldn’t pull back as Kings dug deep to hold out to the end whilst constantly losing players to the bin. Barnstaple came back with two late tries but the Banfield penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides.
A hugely satisfying win for Kings, now boasting a three-win run and climbing to 5th in the table
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