Match Report

Merit Table Match

Southmead 2's Vs Kingswood 2's

Kingswood’s 2^nd XV this week had an always challenging visit to local Bristol site, Southmead.  Things did not get off to the best start for Kingswood as a slight misunderstanding meant that they left without any kit but Southmead kindly leant Kingswood their spare yellow shirts and the game kicked off on time.

Despite playing up the slight slope in the first half, Kingswood made an excellent start to the game and put together two early attacks but unfortunately neither could be capitalised on and the game remained scoreless.

After the early Kingswood pressure, the game then became a midfield battle with numerous scrums and very little scoring opportunities.  Occasional rain meant the pitch was cutting up badly and handling conditions were difficult.  It wasn’t until the 17^th minute that the game eventually saw some points.  Southmead were awarded a penalty from which the ball was tapped quickly and Kingswood’s defence were penalised for not retreating 10 and No. 10 slotted home the penalty kick to make the score 3-0

With their spirits raised after the score, Southmead then began to control proceedings for the next 8 minutes and were attacking deep in the Kingswood half.  A knock on gave Kingswood a scrum but pressure from the Southmead pack caused a spillage at the back and No. 11 was on hand to retrieve the loose ball and cross the Kingswood line to increase their lead to 8-0

The game turned slightly sour on 36 minutes when an altercation during a rolling maul meant that Southmead’s No. 1 and Kingswood’s Matt Davies spent the next 10 minutes in the sin bin.  The original Southmead penalty was reversed and Kingswood had a chance to pull 3 points back but Ian Kirley’s kick just missed the uprights and the scores remained the same.

In first half injury time however, Kingswood managed to get their first points of the game when they were awarded a penalty 10m out for offside and Ian Kirley slotted home the kick to make the score 8-3

By now everyone was expecting the half time whistle but it never came and Kingswood were caught napping when Southmead’s No. 15 broke through a gap in the Kingswood defence and went on a strong downfield run before being tackled in Kingswood’s 22.  The ball was recycled quickly by Southmead and the passage of play ended with No. 12 finding a gap to cross the line and grab Southmead their 2^nd try of the game.  No. 10 added the two points and Kingswood ended the half undeservedly 15-3 down.

 Half Time:  Southmead 2's 15-3 Kingswood 2's

Kingswood made their only substitution at half time with Lewis Brain coming off and Adam Morris coming on.

Kingswood now found themselves playing down the slope but they were still placed under some early 2^nd half pressure from Southmead but were defending their 22 well.  Kingswood’s rush defence was working perfectly and a quick attempted pass by Southmead was spilt and Anthony Davies was on hand to skilfully catch the low ball before setting off downfield.  Davies out paced a few challenges and then faced an unchallenged run-in for the remainder of the pitch.  Despite cries from the sideline to get the ball under the posts, Davies dived over the line.  Ian Kirley was left with a trickier kick than he would have hoped for but his conversion attempt was successful and Kingswood had brought the scores a lot closer at 15-10 with only 5 minutes of the second half gone.

Kingswood were playing with a lot more passion in the 2^nd half and attacked again soon after the restart and they were unlucky not to score again when Adam Morris was tackled in his attempt to cross the line in the corner.  Kingswood came away with the lineout from the attack however and the ball found its way to Mark McGarrigle in the backs who powered through a tackle and ran the ball to within feet of the line before sending the ball out to Jon Bogan who squirmed his way over the line to tie the scores. Ian Kirley could not add the two points but Kingswood had completed the comeback and the scores were tied at 15-15

Despite the comeback, Kingswood then allowed Southmead back into the game, but unlike the first half, Kingswood’s defence was much more organised and solid and Southmead were unable to find away though.  Just after the hour mark, Kingswood were attacking once again but it looked as though a Southmead interception was going to spoil proceedings, the referee however deemed the Southmead player was offside and Kingswood were awarded the penalty.  Ian Kirley felt the burden of responsibility on his shoulders but was un-phased and sent the ball between the uprights to give Kingswood the lead for the first time in the game. 15-18

Kingswood were unable to put together any other scoring chances in the last 15 minutes and relied on their defensive play to keep Southmead at bay.  Southmead came close in the last few seconds of the game and looked as though they may snatch a late victory but the referee spotted an infringement which allowed the final whistle to sound.  Kingswood had completed an excellent second half performance which saw them concede no points and ultimately grab the victory.

Full Time: Southmead 2's 15-18 Kingswood 2's