Match Report

League Match

Dursley Vs Kingswood

The eagerly awaited top of the table clash was finally upon us, 2nd place Kingswood travelled up north to play an unbeaten Dursley.  As with last week the weather was awful which made the pitch extremely boggy and it looked as though a fast paced game of rugby was going to be very difficult.

Kingswood got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a try after only 4 minutes on the clock.  Kingswood conceded several penalties before the ball was passed out wide and No. 7 went over the line.  The weather made the kick difficult and No. 10 failed to convert. 5-0.

5 minutes later, Dursley were awarded a penalty for offside but again No. 10 was unable to convert. Kingswood then started to get themselves into the game and had a good spell of pressure.  On 20 minutes Kingswood were awarded a penalty which Ben Phillips kicked to touch and Kingswood had a lineout 5m from the Dursley tryline.  Kingswood secured the lineout and started to drive the pack forward, the ground conditions were very slippery and Kingswood drove forward over the Dursley tryline before Mike Oakley got the ball down, scoring his 6th try of the season.  Ian Kirley also missed the conversion and the scores were level at 5 a piece.

Dursley then took control of the game again and pretty much had most of the ball for the rest of the half.  Kingswood held firm defensively and made some excellent defensive tackles, most notably from Liam Stinchcombe who put in a brilliant double tackle to snub out a Dursley break.  Kingswood did however concede 3 points before half time when No. 10 converted a penalty in the 23rd minute.  Dean Stephens was then sinned for 10 minutes after a minor scuffle on the pitch,  Kingswood battled well though and kept the score at 8-5 until half time.

Half Time: Dursley 8 - 5 Kingswood

Kingswood started off much brighter in the 2nd half and the game was an equal contest in the middle of the park.  The pitch was starting to cut up and as a result the game was being played mainly through the forwards.  John Bogan then came on for Dave Vince.

On 56 minutes, Kingswood were awarded a penalty just in front the posts for hands in the ruck.  Ben Phillips took the kick and converted easily to make the game level at 8 all.

There was then a rare occurrence when "Good Boy" Stan Bailey was also sinned, somewhat unfairly and Kingswood were again playing with 14 players.  Kingswood were pressuring well thought but there was a close call when Dursley broke free but Al Green put in an excellent defensive to drive the ball into touch.  Al Green was then replaced by Neil Ward who was clearly itching to get on and instantly made himself a nuisance in the mauls.

Kingswood were having the better half but were unable to get over the Dursley tryline and the game seemed to be heading for a draw, that was until Dursley were awarded a penalty about 5m inside Kingswood's half and Dursley opted to kick for the posts, it was going to be an impressive kick if it could be converted and it would have been unfair on Kingswood but fortunately the kick dropped short and was off target and the scores remained 8 - 8.  It was a tale of two halves and a draw was probably a fair result over the 80 minutes.

Full Time: Dursley 8 - 8 Kingswood

Quote of the Week: I've Got No Money To Buy Food, And The Walk To The Nearest Cash Machine Is Like.....A Month - Craig Hill