Match Report

League Match

Cotham Park Vs Kingswood

Kingswood travelled to Cotham Park this week for another must win game.  Kingswood comfortably won the home encounter earlier in the season, but with Cotham Park holding the best home defensive record outside the top three clubs, it clearly wasn't going to be as easy for Kingswood this time around.

Kingswood started the better team and pinned Cotham into their 22 for the opening 20 minutes but with some dogged Cotham defence and Kingswood's eagerness to cross the line, they suffered several knock-ons and missed passes.

There was then a early replacement for Kingswood as Mark Oakley came on temporarily for Damien Crosswell after he drew blood from a clash of heads.

Kingswood did finally make the breakthrough on 23 minutes when they were awarded a free kick from a scrum after Cotham Park were penalised for engaging too early.  The free kick was quickly tapped and Mike Oakley crashed over the line to grab his and Kingswood's first try of the game.  Ian Kirley then added the two points from the conversion. 0-7

 Damien Crosswell then came back on after being patched up.

From the restart Kingswood were then put under pressure for the first time in the game and they were not helped by some poor defending and giving away a series of penalties which allowed Cotham to creep closer towards the Kingswood try-line.  Damien Crosswell then once again left the field of play, however this time it was for 10 minutes when he was sin-binned.  Cotham decided to kick for the posts and converted to bring them within four points. 3-7

Mark Oakley then came on once again but this time as a prop replacement.

In the 2nd minute of injury time Kingswood then had a good passage of play with some excellent rucking and recycling which lasted several phases before a rolling maul was setup and driven towards the Cotham try-line. It fell to Mike Oakley to break from the back and once again crash over the line to grab his and Kingswood's 2nd try of the game. Ian Kirley converted once again. 3-14

Half Time: Cotham Park 3 - 14 Kingswood

There was an early scare for Kingswood in the 2nd half when Cotham broke away in the centre of the park, however Liam Stinchcombe was on hand to make a last gasp tackle which fortunately for Kingswood was knocked-on and Kingswood were awarded a scrum 5m out from which they cleared their lines.

This Cotham attack woke Kingswood up and on 54 minutes they earned a lineout after pressurising the Cotham defence.  Kingswood secured the lineout and a trade mark rolling maul steamrolled towards the try-line and this time it was the turn of Steve Trevelyan to grab Kingswood's third try. 3-19

Matt Davies was then replaced by Ben Voke.

62 minutes gone and Kingswood now seemed in total control of the game and went on an excellent attacking move with some quick hands and some delightful passing and support.  The ball made its way out to Liam Stinchcombe on the wing before he drew in the last defender and popped the ball inside to Ian Kirley who put the ball in the corner to grab a try on his return from injury. 3-24

4 minutes later and Kingswood were now on a roll and playing with more composure.  They setup a rolling maul just outside their own 22 and managed to roll it just inside the Cotham half of the pitch.  A ruck was finally formed and this led to Rich Francis making an excellent break before he fed the ball to Mike Oakley who powered over the line to grab his hat-trick.  Ian Kirley converted. 3-31

Mike Oakley's hamstring injury then forced him to leave the pitch and he was replaced by brother Mark who entered the game for the third time.  A few uneventful minutes later, Rich Francis was then replaced by Ben Lambert.

 There was time for one more try as the game entered injury time.  Kingswood were awarded a scrum from which Mark McGarrigle picked up from the back and ran towards the line but was agonisingly tackled with the whitewash within touching distance.  Kingswood did secure the ruck however and Ben Phillips popped the ball up to an advancing Mark Oakley who crashed over the line. 3-36

So after a nervy start, Kingswood finally settled down into their usual rhythm and came away with a good victory.  5 league matches left and sitting in third with a real chance of promotion and with a semi-final place booked in the cup, Kingswood still have a lot to play for this season.

  Full Time: Cotham Park 3 - 36 Kingswood

Quote of the Week: "From A Fart He Cried And Then Was Sick, Huh Huh!" - Liam Stinchcombe