Sat 14 Dec 2019
Kingsbridge, second in the league, travelled to third placed St Austell. The home side finished with a flattering 43-24 score line. Kings travelled with no fewer than five replacements from the side who won so convincingly the week before. Such a shame that Kings couldn’t keep their run going. They pushed the home side right to the end, but simply ran out of steam. No blame attributed to the forward replacements; they played well, especially in the case of Tom Meatyard, who gave it his all in his first game of the season.
Kingsbridge started well and were soon on the attack, forcing St Austell into a penalty, which allowed them a lineout close to the line. They failed to take advantage first time, but from a second one, a good catch and drive saw the powerful Scott Lowry crash over for the game’s first points. Fly half Ben Newman on target with the conversion. St Austell came back almost immediately with a penalty. Kings could have edged further with another penalty but Newman narrowly missed. St Austell scored next after slick hands in their backs saw them score their first try. Back came Kings with a great offload from skipper Jake Vincent to centre Ben Glover, resulting in a try, Newman successful with the extra. St Austell responded with a try of their own but failed with the conversion. A penalty apiece left St Austell with the narrowest of leads; 18-17 at half time.
The second half started with St Austell building pressure and from a penalty lineout they drove over for the first points of the half. Conversion missed. The home side continued to attack but a clever interception from James Oggelsby put Kings into a 23-24 lead after Newman converted. St Austell took the lead back as they slotted two more penalties. As the game continued, the lack of game time for many of Kings players began to show and St Austell took full advantage, scoring two more tries on their way to a 43-24 victory, which saw them leapfrog Kings with a game in hand.
This weekend sees Kingsbridge take a break from league action. The only game at High House this weekend sees the Colts host Brixham Colts in the Devon Cup on Saturday at 2.30 pm.
On Boxing Day the annual festive fixtures see the A XV entertain the Greyhounds at 11.00 am and the 1st XV welcome Salcombe to High House in the afternoon with KO at 2.30 pm.
