Sat 18 Dec 2021
Kingsbridge gave their supporters an early Christmas present with a last gasp win against Teignmouth at High House on Saturday.
Last weeks win over Paignton, which was also an end of game victory, showed that this team is one that doesn’t know when it’s beaten and to repeat the feat this week was a great achievement.
Teignmouth are several places above Kingsbridge in the table and the first twenty minutes of the game showed why. Almost straight from the kick off they were pressing the KIngsbridge line and an infringement gave the visitors a chance of three easy points. Another penalty soon followed and a 0-6 after a few minutes was a ominous sign.
The watching crowd were beginning to think this was to be a repeat result of the first game of the season when a depleted Kingsbridge team were beaten at Teignmouth.
An unconverted try increased the visitors lead to 0-11. With all the luck and refereeing decisions going the visitors way it was going to need a spark to ignite the home team.
This was soon provided by the pack who suddenly seemed galvanised into action. For once quick ball was passed down the line and Toby Baldry carved his way through the visitors defence only to be brought down close to the line, and from the ensuing ruck the ever present James Palmer ran in a try which was converted by fly half Ben Newman. A half time score of 7-11 was a score that would have seemed unlikely earlier in the half.
Teignmouth were now playing with the wind behind them and as in the first half it was their turn to get on the scoreboard. Numerous penalties lead to them inching their way closer to the home side’s line. A try was inevitable and it was scored near the posts to give the Teignmouth kicker an easy conversion to extend their lead to 7-18.
Kingsbridge, although two scores behind, were not looking like a beaten side and soon it was their turn to score. A Newman penalty kick to the corner gave them a line out at the Teignmouth 22. Great lineout work gave them clean ball and quick hands across the back line gave Baldry the chance to touch down to reduce the deficit to 18-12.
With nothing to lose Kingsbridge started to open the game up and a series of forward drives saw them inch ever closer to the Teignmouth try line. Every time they were rebuffed until one last effort saw a pile of bodies crash over the line and the try was awarded to Stuart Winzer. Ben Newman had the chance to put his side into the lead for the first time which he did with a well struck conversion.
At 19-18 the home side and the crowd prayed for the final whistle but the referee had other ideas and awarded Teignmouth a penalty. Luckily for Kingsbridge his effort fell short and Kingsbridge were left to celebrate a very hard fought but deserved victory.
Hopefully the injury to George Banfield will not prove too serious otherwise replacement Ali Hamilton may have found a new position.
Kingsbridge’s next game – restrictions permitting – will be the annual Boxing Day fixture against Salcombe.
