Conversions Make The Difference In Victory For Seaside Visitors

With a large majority of Kingswood RFC away on Easter tour to Chester, an ‘A’ team was fielded against visitors, Weston-super-Mare. Both teams appeared to be fielding a mixture of abilities so it had all the hallmarks of being a good game.

The first 10 minutes of the game saw Kingswood in charge and playing deep in Weston’s half of the pitch and it looked as though it was they who were going to grab the first points of the game, however, Weston turned over possession and when the ball was given to the backs, No. 13 ran through several attempted tackles to run the majority of the pitch and open the scoring on the counter attack. No. 6 added the two points from in front the posts and Kingswood trailed 0-7

Kingswood hit back from the restart with a series of rolling mauls and good rucking with carried them deep into Weston’s half before Dave Vince picked up the ball and slipped through a tight gap to run over the try line to pull Kingswood to within 2 points. Unfortunately, Darren Gunn’s conversion was unsuccessful and Kingswood trailed 5-7

Weston showed their counter attacking ability and highlighted Kingswood’s poor tackling on 23 minutes with a repeat of their first try. Kingswood were holding the territory but a free kick to Weston allowed a swift counter attack in the backs and this time No. 14 ran through to put Weston clear again. No. 6 added another 2 points and Kingswood were now 5-14 behind despite being in control of large portions of the game.

The game then swung once again back to Kingswood when a lineout on the halfway line was secured and Paul Bennett received the ball in the backs to power through the Weston defence and give Kingswood an excellent scoring opportunity. Bennett carried the ball forward before passing it out to Mark Oakley who had an easy run over the line. Again the conversion was missed for Kingswood but that had pulled the game back to within four points. 10-14

Kingswood were then forced into an early substitution as Mike Oakley came of injured and Richard Heard came on in his place.

With half time approaching, Kingswood were under pressure in their half but Dave Vince managed to get his hands on the ball before sending a beautiful bouncing kick downfield that incredibly ran out in the corner to give Weston a lineout on the 5 metre line and relieve the pressure on Kingswood. Kingswood spoilt the lineout well and the ball was eventually given away in open play and Kingswood secured the loose ball and Mark Oakley was in the right place at the right time as he received the ball and crashed over the line to give Kingswood the lead going into half time. Darren Gunn’s conversion attempt was again unable to secure the two points but Kingswood led for the first time in the game. 15-14

Half Time: Kingswood 'A' 15-14 Weston SM 4ths

Kingswood should have extended their lead from the restart when an excellent flowing move in the backs created an overlap out on the left but the ball was taken back in field and the chance went begging.

It was Weston who were next on the score sheet as a penalty to Weston in Kingswood’s 22 was tapped quickly and the ball recycled well and some missed tackles allowed No. 1 to crash over the line. It was the conversions that were making the difference between the two teams as No. 6’s kick sailed over the make it 3 from 3 and Weston crept back in front. 15-21

Of course with the way the game had been alternating, surely it was Kingswood’s turn to score next, and that is exactly how it panned out. 3 minutes after Weston’s last try, Mark Oakley, who wasn’t even meant to be playing in the game due to an injury, carried on his excellent work rate in the game as he pounced on a loose ball and ran it downfield before releasing Adam Morris on the wing who had easy run in over the line to bring Kingswood to within 2 points of the lead. However it was the conversion that again foiled Kingswood as they failed to convert the kick and the score was now 20-21

So it was Kingswood with the last try so that can only mean one thing. With 7 minutes gone since the try, Weston spread the ball wide in the backs and Kingswood defence failed to spread wide in time and No. 14 ran over for his 2nd try to place the ball under the posts. No. 6 made it 4 from 4 as he slotted home the kick to increase their lead to 8 points. 20-28

Anyone guess who scored next? 4 minutes after Weston’s try and in to the 68th minute, Paul Bennett showed his devastating pace and fancy footwork as he sliced open the Weston defence and was faced with an unchallenged run in. But with half the pitch still to go and with the full back catching him back up, Bennett opted the play the ball out wide to the wing, but with a bit of skill he could probably never repeat, the pass hit the back tracking full back square in the face and rebounded back into Bennett’s arms. Sensing that he may as well continue with luck like that, Bennett ran the remainder of the way to get the ball down under the posts. Darren Gunn’s back luck continued as his kick struck the upright. 25-28

One minute into injury time and it was anyone’s game, Kingswood were pressing hard to find that all important winning try, but as they scored last, that didn’t look like happening. With a few phases of quick rugby, it was Weston that wrapped up the game as No. 9 went over out wide. No. 6 was unable to add the two points but the final whistle sounded and Weston had secured victory.

With the game all square on tries, it came down to conversions and Weston were better on the day. Nonetheless, a highly entertaining game of rugby for all concerned.