Match Report

Kingswood Vs Southmead II

Another ‘friendly’ match for Kingswood this week as they entertained Southmead. II’s at the Big K. It was very much an experimental team chosen by Coach Pennycook as a number of absentees meant 4 debutants were required.

It was in the Forwards were Kingswood made the most changes. With Mark and Mike Oakley, Alex Green, Neil Ward and Damien Crosswell all unavailable, there were 1st team debuts for Matt Rich, Stu Wright and Paul ‘Josh’ Johnson. Nick Coe turned 18 last weekend and so was moved from the Flank to the Front Row for his first adult experience at Hooker. Robert Lamb was also welcomed back into the Front Row after his couple of months out from injury. In the Backs, there was a 1st XV debut for James Willmott at Full-Back and Inside Centre Paul Allen and Fly Half Dean Stephens swapped positions for the afternoon.

The first quarter of the game saw Kingswood in control but knock-ons in the final stages were stopping them from gaining the lead. Southmead were also doing their best to halt Kingswood’s momentum with a couple of well timed punch-ups. Kingswood were awarded a large quantity of penalties and finally opted for a scrum 5 metres from the Southmead try-line. Coach Redford shouted from the sideline that he wanted to try a move practiced in the warm-up and Captain Paul Allen and Dean Stephens dually obliged and a lovely executed Backs move saw the ball land in the hands of Winger Anthony Davies who dived over the line to grab the lead for Kingswood. A rather entertaining conversion attempt from Gareth Pond narrowly missed the uprights (ish). 5-0

Despite playing well and controlling possession, Kingswood were restricted to just the one try in the first half as Southmead did their best to smother the attacks.

Half Time: Kingswood 5 – 0 Southmead II

Kingswood made one change at half time with Scrum Half Dave Vince coming off with a hand injury to be replaced by Steve Ridgeway.

Kingswood started the 2nd half knowing that the score-line was flattering Southmead and set out to put things right. With only four 2nd half minutes gone, Kingswood were awarded a penalty which Dean Stephens kicked to touch to secure a lineout 10 metres out. Kingswood secured the ball and crashed it forward. The ball was then quickly recycled and given to Adam Morris on the wing who broke forward before being bundled into touch 5 metres out. The lineout from Southmead was overthrown and Stu Wright was on hand to catch the ball at the back of the line and power over from 5 metres out to grab his first try for Kingswood. Gareth Pond was unable to add the 2 points but Kingswood had doubled their lead 10-0

Exactly 5 minutes later and Kingswood were awarded a scrum in their own half which was secured at the feet of Steve Trevelyan at No. 8. Trevelyan broke with the ball up the blind side before popping the ball to Scrum-Half Steve Ridgeway. Ridgeway broke through a gap in the Southmead defence and burst up-field. Ridgeway made excellent ground before passing the ball in-field to Paul Allen to avoid the advancing Southmead Winger. Allen looked as though he would finish off the move but he drew in the Full-Back before sending the ball back out to Ridgeway who then had a simple run-in under the posts. Gareth Pond was unable to miss the conversion and slotted home the kick for Kingswood to make the score 17-0

Kingswood then made their 2nd substitution with Adam Morris coming off and Brad Whiston coming on.

With 54 minutes of the game gone, Kingswood secured a scrum just inside Southmead’s half and Steve Ridgeway sent a great grubber kick through the defence which couldn’t have made it any closer to the Southmead try-line before bouncing into touch. Southmead secured the ball and a maul was formed. Southmead had actually over secured and left the ball free at the back. Robert Lamb sneaked in, picked up and drove over the line with two Southmead players clinging on for his first try of the season. Gareth Pond’s conversion had the accuracy but just dropped short of the posts but nonetheless Kingswood now led 22-0

Just after the hour mark Kingswood found themselves camped out in Southmead’s 22. With Kingswood securing a scrum Steven Trevelyan 8 picked up at the back and, after dummying a pass, powered across for a try. Gareth Pond sent a lovely kick through the uprights and Kingswood were cruising at 29-0

Into the final 10 minutes of the match and Southmead found themselves in their 22 but in possession of the ball. A high clearance flew downfield but underneath it was Kingswood Winger Brad Whiston who secured the ball and powered back into Southmead’s 22 before giving the ball to Dean Stephens. Stephens quickly fed the ball to Paul Allen and the Captain dived over the line to grab Kingswood’s 6th try of the game. Gareth Pond was unable to add the 2 points and Kingswood were now 34-0 up.

With two minutes of the game remaining, there was time for the 1st sin-bin of the game and some what ironically it was Kingswood’s Ian Crook who was on the receiving end.

The game ended eventually and Kingswood had cruised to a comfortable victory. A big well done to all the debutants who all stepped up to the mark and put in excellent performances! Kingswood finally get back into league action next weekend as they take a trip over to Tetbury as they look to keep up with the league leaders.

Final Score: Kingswood 34 – 0 Southmead II