Sat 11 Dec 2021
Kingsbridge left it late to edge out Paignton with a try in the dying seconds of the match to snatch victory 20-24 in a hard-fought contest. Paignton were up for this match and played strong physical rugby which rocked Kings back and forced some poor decision making. But Kings had in their three youngest players guys who never give up. Baldry - whose last-minute tackles saved Kings on a couple of occasions - alongside Blake and Rich, were outstanding.
For once, Kings made the perfect start as Baldry kicked ahead and gathered to score, and with Newman converting, raced into the lead. Paignton replied almost immediately as a clever chip was gathered and quick hands saw them score in the corner with the conversion drawing them level. From the restart, Blake collected well and stormed through but couldn’t find the offload to make the most of it. Kings did add with a Newman penalty, but were soon behind as the home side turned a series of drives into points with a converted try, taking the half time score to 14-10
The second half started with Kings pressing hard but unable to make it count. They were given a let off as Paignton, surprisingly, missed an eminently kickable penalty. This cost Paignton as Kings went up field and after a series of drives, they managed to work Vincent into space and score. Newman drew the teams level with a fine conversion. Kingsbridge then had a five-minute melt down as they gifted the home side a penalty after poor decision-making saw them fail to exit from the Kickoff. They followed up with the restart not going the ten, and from the resulting scrum, they were penalized again, allowing Paignton to regain the lead 20-17. Some stern words under the posts galvanized Kings and they were soon battering Paignton’s try line.
They even turned down the opportunity to level the scores, declining an easy three points in favour of going for the win. Taking the ball on, they kept control and eventually, in the last move of the game, managed to get Powell over for the match-wining try. Newman rubbing salt into the home side’s wounds by converting from out wide, leaving the score line 20-24.
A win is a win and Kings will take that.
The holiday season sees Kingsbridge entertain Teignmouth at High House on Saturday and travel to local rivals Salcombe on Boxing Day.
