Sat 19 Feb 2022, 14:30
Sweet revenge for Kingsbridge as they beat Chard 38-5 at High House to take their unbeaten run to three games. Reversing the result from earlier in the season, Kings were too good for Chard on the day. They fought back from an early setback and once they took the lead, they kept the visitors scoreless for the rest of the game. Luckily the weather abated and the game, which was in doubt, went ahead. Credit to Kingsbridge’s ground staff.
The first game had been dominated by the Chard scrum and it was worrying that they scored early in the first half through a push over try. However, Kings seemed to be galvanized by that and responded in the tight to such an extent that by the end of the match they had more than parity. Kings, pushing hard to get back into the game, were held up countless times until Vincent was again on hand to break free and score, Newman adding the extra. It wasn’t long before King’s backs engineered the next score. Some great interplay and quick hands saw George Banfield put into space and showing great pace, was over. Newman converting. There was still time for one more score before half time as a fine run by Joe Banfield took Kings into the Chard 22, who were penalized, and from the resulting lineout Palmer was over, leaving the half time score 19-5.
The second half started with Kings keeping up the pressure and it wasn’t long before a finely timed pass by Newman, enjoying the speedy service from Jack Evans, saw Dave Stephens over. Newman converting well in such windy conditions. Chard raised themselves to put serious pressure on Kings for a while and nearly scored but a great turnover from Palmer removed the danger. Once again with Harris leading from the front, Kings kept the game flowing with some great moves and ball retention leading to the ever-youthful Dave Stephens scoring his second. Newman converting again. Kings weren’t finished and in a game they were now in total control of, it fell to Buster James to score the final points of the day leaving the score 38-5.
Kings can take immense credit from this game. To take on third placed Chard and dispatch them with such a clinical display shows the progress they are making.
There was an error in last week’s match report. The try awarded to Jack Evans should have been skipper Jake Vincent.
This week sees Kingsbridge host Bideford in a rearranged league match from 29th January.
