Sat 22 Feb 2020
With the constant wind and rain abating for a few hours and some sterling work by ground staff supremo Mike Shute, ably assisted by Dai Jarvis, last Saturday’s postponed clash with Falmouth was able to go ahead.
Talk of player absenteeism proved groundless and a nearly full strength home side took to the field, hoping to maintain their excellent recent form. The storm force winds of relegation are hovering far too close foe the visitors liking and they didn’t intend to Kingsbridge and just roll over.
Like any side in their position they were going to try and take the game to Kingsbridge and for the first twenty minutes or so that’s exactly what they did. The blue and white wall was not to be breached however, and gradually Kingsbridge started to play as we know they can.
From one incursion into the visitors half centre George Banfield got his hands on the ball and set off on one of his trade mark runs to open the scoring. Fly half Ben Newman’s conversion made it 7-0, a score that stayed until half time.
A half time team talk by coaches Stu Townsend and Rob Masters seemed to inspre Kingsbridge and it wasn’t long before Scott Lowry got his name on the score sheet with a crash ball try that was again converted by Newman.
The effort put in by the visitors seemed to be taking it’s toll and Kingsbridge were spending more and more time in their half of the pitch. With the forwards providing better ball it wasn’t long before Banfield spotted a gap and was through it, grounding the ball wide out to bring the score up to 196-0. Newman’s excellent conversion made it 21-0.
Kingsbridge were now dominating the game and centre Ben Glover capped another impressive display with a try near the posts which Newman again converted.
Sometimes on a rugby field you see a scything run by one of the outsides which you marvel at their speed, but when your hooker and captain catches the ball from the kick off and bulldozers his way to within 15 yards of the opposition try line, you are glad you are watching and not trying to stop him. From Jake Vincent’s amazing run the ball was sent wide and young wing Toby Baldry touched down to make it 33-0.
Falmouth’s tiring legs were now no match for the home side and some slick handling gave Banfield a chance to secure his hat-trick which he took with his usual aplomb.
Another impressive win for the Blue and Whites who now are on the road for two successive matches against Wiveliscombe and Honiton.
(Photo credits – Linda Mitchelmore)
