Kingswood Victorious In Opening Friendly

After what has seemed like an eternity, Kingswood finally got ready for their 07/08 campaign with a friendly match against Old Colstonians 2nd XV. There were call ups for 3rd XV Hooker James Thorne and 2nd team Vice Captain James Dicks who have both been impressive in Pre-Season training. Watching from the sideline was injury hit Mark Oakley (Back), Ian Kirley (Shoulder) and Alex Green (Ribs).

Both teams were quite clearly glad to be back and eager to play as the opening 5 minutes was a very scrappy encounter. Kingswood did calm down however and seemed to take control of the game, especially in the scrums were they looked impressive. With 11 minutes on the clock, Kingswood were awarded a scrum 5m out from which they secured the ball comfortably, Mark McGarrigle picked up and ran for the line only to be tackled within inches of the whitewash. Matthew Davies was on hand however to scoop the ball from the ruck and get to the line and with a helpful shove from Neil Ward, grabbed Kingswood the first points of the game. Ben Phillips was left with the difficult challenge of converting from near the touchline but his first kick of the game incredibly sailed through the uprights to grab the extra 2 points. 0-7

With only 3 minutes gone from their opening try, Kingswood went on the offensive again and were awarded a penalty when Colstonians were penalised for coming in at the side. Dean Stephens sent a lovely kick downfield which earned a lineout for Kingswood 10m out. The lineout was secured and a rolling maul ensued before Neil Ward broke from the pack and powered his way over the line. Ben Phillips was unable to add the conversion. 0-12

Almost instantly Kingswood were awarded a scrum from which the ball was sent to Dean Stephens who spotted space downfield and sent a well placed kick into the Colstonian 22. The Colstonians full-back secured the ball but was promptly tackled and Kingswood's new Captain, Paul Allen, was on hand to receive the ball from the ruck and run in for Kingswood's 3rd try in 7 minutes. Ben Phillips once again added the 2 points. 0-19

On 25 minutes Old Colstonians were awarded a lineout which they secured, however the Kingswood forwards pounced quickly and managed to successfully rip the ball back and setup another attacking platform. The ball made its way into the hands of Dean Stephens who spotted a gap in the Colstonians back line and broke through to set off on a downfield charge before passing the ball out wide to Adam Morris who had an easy run in over the line. Dean Stephens was unable to add the extra two points. 0-24

Kingswood continued to play well and made sure that any possession for Colstonians was short lived. With half time rapidly approaching, Colstonians were in possession, but under pressure from Kingswood the ball was spilt by their backs which left Paul Allen with an easy pickup and free run over the try line before adding the two points from a drop-kick. 0-31

Half Time: Old Colstonians 2's 0 - 31 Kingswood

Kingswood started the 2nd half as they finished the first by placing Old Colstonians on the back foot from the off. Colstonians were awarded a lineout in their half but Mark McGarrigle rose well to secure the ball for Kingswood. The ball was sent to the backs and an excellent running move effortlessly made its way downfield with excellent support play before the move was finished off by Steve Trevelyan who had an easy run in over the line before adding the drop goal conversion. 0-38

It was a further quarter of an hour before Kingswood added to their points tally. Kingswood were awarded a scrum from which the ball was sent to Paul Allen who popped a beautiful pass to Cousin Brad whose blistering pace took him comfortably over the try-line. Ben Phillips added the two points. 0-45

From this point on Kingswood were cruising and scored a further 6 tries with less than 3 minutes between each one. The first came from a quickly taken lineout from which Steve Trevelyan and Mark McGarrigle combined well to avoid attempted tackles before the ball found its way to Ben Lambert who grabbed himself a try. Ben Phillips was unable to add the conversion. 0-50

3 minutes later and Damien Crosswell was the next Kingswood player to grab himself a try after a Kingswood lineout 5m out formed into a rolling maul from which Crosswell got himself over the line. Ben Phillips was again unable to add the two points. 0-55

2 minutes later and Kingswood secured a scrum deep in Colstonians half and the ball found its way to Sam Massey who bulldozed his way through the Colstonians defence before being tackled just short of the line. Massey popped the ball beautifully to a supporting Neil Ward who twisted well to get the ball down over the line. Ben Phillips then added the two points with an impressive drop kick from out wide. 0-62

Another 2 minutes passed and Old Colstonians once again found themselves on the back foot when their Full-Back was tackled deep in their own 22. Kingswood rucked well and turned over possession from which the ball was passed out to Dean Stephens who had the simplest of run-ins before securing the extra 2 points from the drop kick. 0-69

The next try came straight from the restart when James Dicks, Mark McGarrigle, Neil Ward, Ben Lambert combined brilliantly with some champagne rugby and great support play before the move was finished off by Sam Massey. Unfortunately his drop kick was not so spectacular and Kingswood were unable to gain the extra points. 0-74

The final try came straight from the restart once again when Dean Stephens and Paul Allen seemed to single handily run the ball the entire half of the pitch before Paul Allen finished off the move to grab his hat-trick of tries for the day. It was then the turn of Paul Allen to miss in front the posts! 0-79

The game was then brought to a close by the referee and Kingswood ended comfortable winners but now face their first league game of the season at home to newly promoted Smiths Industries which, by this result, should be a highly entertaining game.

Full Time: Old Colstonians 2's 0 - 79 Kingswood

Captains Analysis

A very encouraging start to the season with some outstanding play from 1 through to 15. In attack the boys looked very confident with ball in hand, never short of ideas and in defence the boys looked equally as solid. We have a few kinks we need ironing out at training this week, but all in all a very good performance which has filled us with confidence prior to the 1st league fixture of the season versus Smith Industries this Saturday.