Sat 9 Nov 2019
KINGSBRIDGE 34 points – WIVELISCOMBE 19
Kingsbridge survived a sloppy second half performance to eventually run out as comfortable winners against a young Wiveliscombe side, thanks mainly to a George Banfield hattrick.
Kings played some entertaining rugby in the first half using wingers Greg Parrot and Chris Canavali through the midfield, making plenty of chances. Often underused, they both brought great dimension to the backs play.
Kingsbridge were on the score sheet within 5 minutes of the start as Banfield intercepted and out-ran the visitors defence. Fly half Ben Newman converted. Wiveliscombe bounced back when Kingsbridge were caught napping on the blindside. Wiveliscombe’s no. eight picked up, saw no one defending, and sent the winger over in the corner. Kingsbridge responded with another try on twenty minutes when, after a series of drives, lock Scott Lowry muscled his way over. Conversion missed. It took only another 5 minutes and Kings were back on the scoresheet with another try by scrum half Billy Burner, after a strong drive from Captain Jake Vincent. Conversion missed. The try of the match saw Parrot slice through the visitor’s defence and touch down after a brilliant solo effort. Conversion missed again to leave the half time score 22-5.
Kings started the second half looking as if they were going to rack up an enormous score with another try. A fine break by Newman forced a penalty and from the lineout a series of drives took Kings to the line, where a quick release of the ball saw Banfield go over for his second. Conversion missed. That was the last piece of good play from Kings for the majority of the time remaining. Penalty after penalty put them on the back foot and it wasn’t long before Wiveliscombe were on the Kingsbridge line and driving for their first score of the half. The visitors kept the pressure on, no more so than in the tight, where Kings domination in the early part of the match so deteriorated that they were being pushed back at every scrum. Wivelscombe got within one score of Kings when, through a series of missed tackles, they scored their third try. Kingsbridge finally woke up and reasserted themselves with a last minute Banfield try, which Newman converted, leaving the final score 34-19.
Real signs of promise from a backline seeming to run into form, but overall, questions will be asked where Kings heads were for the majority of the second half.
This weekend sees Kingsbridge welcome Honiton to High House for a 2.30 KO, whilst the A XV, whose game fell foul of the weather last weekend, travel to face Plymouth based OPM II’s. Kingsbridge Colts currently have no fixture planned.
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