Sat 12 Feb 2022
This match could easily be described as one of Kingsbridge’s finest victories of the last couple of seasons. Showing true grit and determination, they toppled 2nd placed Burnham 19-26. Despite being reduced to 13 after two yellow cards in quick succession, they defended tigerishly and even had enough left in the tank to snatch a late try to secure the victory. The win was built on the back of a magnificent forward display with the whole pack playing their part, and Stu Harris and Jack Cope outstanding. Jack Evans, at scrum half, was a constant threat and his speed of pass allowed the backs to play some of their best rugby to date.
The first half saw Kingsbridge apply the early pressure with the scrum totally dominant and with all the territory. It was against the run of play as Burnham broke out of their twenty-two to score the game’s first points. Kings came back, with a score from Cope, who controlled the ball well at the back of a scrum, fly half Ben Newman converting. More scrum dominance led to countless penalties on the Burnham line and after a series of pick and drives the alert Evans saw space and dived over leaving the half time score 5-12.
The second half saw a change around in the Burnham front row and Kings lost their dominance in the tight but were still piling on the pressure at the breakdown, and from a maul, Cope broke free to score his second. Newman adding the extra. Burnham, as expected from a top two side, came back into the game with a try from a tap and go penalty. The game almost mirrored the first half as Burnham camped on Kingsbridge’s line as they looked for the equalizer. King’s defence held out time and time again as the referee kept on penalising them. Eventually, unlike the first half when the roles were reversed, the referee went to his pocket to brand a yellow card not once but twice leaving Kings to try to keep the home side out. Burnham finally managed to make the numbers count and score the equalising converted try. No way were Kings finished as they dug deep and in the 15 minutes of injury time, they mounted a series of attacks and eventually prop Mike Powell found himself in the clear and raced to the line, although tackled, he managed to stretch out and touch down what was to be the winning score. Newman converting the bonus point try.
What a game! Kings can hold their heads high having taken, in the last couple of weeks, the league leaders so close and now beating second place with a performance that was all heart and passion. With this momentum, roll on next week as Kings entertain Chard at High House.
