Match Report

League Match

Kingswood Vs Ashley Down

After last weeks defeat to Ross On Wye, Kingswood were thrown straight back into league action with a home match against Ashley Down.  Ashley Down had an impressive win last week against Old Elizabethans, so they were hoping an upset could be on the cards.

It didn't take long for that dream to start looking like reality when No. 14 broke free and weaved through several missed Kingswood tackles to give Ashley Down a 5 point lead after 13 minutes. 0-5

Kingswood were not helping themselves by throwing sloppy passes and unforced handling errors and as a result they were forced to defend for most of the first half.  That was until the 40th minute when Kingswood secured a lineout and some quick hands fed the ball to Paul Allen who then went on a lovely run before drawing the last man and popping the ball to Mark McGarrigle who ran over to give Kingswood a 7 points to 5 lead after Ben Phillips conversion. 7-5

Astonishingly Kingswood had one more try in them and 4 minutes into injury time, Kingswood were awarded a scrum which found its way to the backs and it fell to Paul Allen who went on yet another excellent run as he slalomed through the Ashley Down defence and bagged himself a much deserved try.  Ben Phillips again converted and Kingswood held a 14-5 lead at half time.

Half Time: Kingswood 14 - 5 Ashley Down

Kingswood had to keep their momentum up in the 2nd half if they were to capitalise on their half time lead and that's exactly what they did by dominating the restart.  After 7 minutes of the 2nd half, Kingswood stole an Ashley Down lineout and Mark McGarrigle sent a pass out to Paul Allen who spun on the spot and went on another run before passing to Dean Stephens who then sent Rich Francis clear.  Francis sent a lovely kick down field which was secured by the Ashley Down full-back but a crunching tackle by Liam Stinchcombe forced a spillage and Paul Allen was on hand to scoop up the loose ball and crash over for Kingswood's 3rd try of the game.  19-5

 Ashley Down then fought back and got into Kingswood's 22 via a string of penalties and it was a penalty that was Kingswood's undoing and a quick tap penalty was sent out wide to No. 17 who powered over the line to hand Ashley Down a lifeline.  19-12

Coach Rich Knight then made a double substitution with Neil Ward and Liam Stinchcombe coming off and Ben Voke and Matt Bryant coming on.

With only 5 minutes gone after Ashley Down's try, there was then a special 9 minutes for Rich Francis.  Ashley Down had secured a ruck in their own 22 and the ball was spun out wide but the Kingswood backs pressed up hard which forced Ashley Down's back into panic stations and a wild attempt at a volleyed clearance was sliced sideways and a grateful Paul Allen was in the right spot to catch the ball before popping it inside to Rich Francis who had an easy run in for his first.  Ben Phillips converted. 26-12

Kingswood were now playing a lot better and Ashley Down were starting to look tired and there were lots of gaps appearing in the defence.  On 65 minutes, Kingswood were awarded a scrum 5m from the Ashley Down tryline from which Dean Stephens received the ball and after a darting run across field, he released Rich Francis who went over for his 2nd try in 7 minutes. 31-12

Straight from the restart, Kingswood secured a ruck and Ben Phillips sent a pass to Dean Stephens, who then sent a lovely miss pass to Paul Allen who did what he had been doing all game and darted through the Ashley Down defence before popping to Rich Francis who ran over unchallenged to grab his hat-trick.  Ben Phillips added the two extra points and Kingswood were now 38-12 to the good.

  There was then a brief rest bite from the action, for 7 minutes at least.  There was chaos in the Ashley Down defence once more and an attempted kick from the floor was once again sliced across field and a grateful Jon Bogan followed the bouncing ball before choosing the best moment to pick up the ball and cross the Ashley Down line. 43-12

Kingswood were forced to defend again late on and yet again a series of mistakes gifted Ashley Down penalty after penalty before No. 3 made it over in the corner. 43-17

Despite a shaky first half, Kingswood got their heads together after the restart and some powerful rucking and mauling from the forwards combined with fast hands in the backs led to a comfortable victory.

  Full Time: Kingswood 43 - 17 Ashley Down