Kingswood faced a challenging trip this week to Southmead to play in the EDF Junior Vase Cup against last years Combination Cup winners. Tom Lovell was called up to the 2nd row due to Neil Wards upcoming operation and Mark McGarrigle was brought in as Full Back due to Paul Bennett's knee injury.

Kingswood appeared to have made a disastrous start to the game when Southmead looked as though they had grabbed themselves a try with only a minute on the clock, but fortunately for Kingswood, the Southmead player was tackled out of the tiny try zone by Ben Phillips and Kingswood had been let off for their sleepy start.

Kingswood then pulled their fingers out and started playing some impressive rugby. Mark Oakley led the defensive line with a series of crunching tackles early on and the Kingswood forwards were also showing their intent with excellent scrummaging and driving mauls.

It wasn't long however until the skill difference between the two teams shone through and with 11 minutes on the clock, No. 13 crossed the Kingswood try-line after several phases of play. 5-0

There was only another 3 minutes on the clock when Southmead were awarded a lineout in the Kingswood 22 and an impressive rolling maul drove its way over to give Southmead their 2nd try of the game. 10-0

Kingswood continued to give it their all despite the early set back and this was demonstrated by two impressive tackles by Captain Paul Allen.

Kingswood were battling hard but there was a further set back for them when despite their resistance, Kingswood conceded a scrum in their 22 and after securing their ball, Southmead released the backs and some fast hands saw No. 15 cross the Kingswood line. 17-0

Kingswood continued to press however and began to build a good spell of pressure. Their persistence was rewarded when Kingswood secured a penalty after a weaving run by Ian Kirley led to Southmead not rolling away and Ben Phillips stepped up to slot the penalty kick between the posts. 17-3

Kingswood looked determined to add to the 3 points and from the restart they had another good spell of pressure. The Kingswood forwards were crashing balls either side of the breakdown to create dents in the Southmead defence and it was working well with Kingswood forcing their way closer and closer to the Southmead try-line. Unfortunately for Kingswood, Southmead managed to force a spillage and cleared the ball up field from the floor and a horrible bounce put the Kingswood defence under pressure and Southmead's No. 13 was on hand to scoop up the bouncing ball to agonisingly give Southmead their fourth try. 24-3

There was then an injury blow for Kingswood as Alex Green was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Matt Davies.

On the stroke of half time, Southmead then put together another excellent move through the backs and No. 13 crossed the Kingswood try-line to secure him a first half hat-trick. 31-3

Half Time: Southmead 31-3 Kingswood

Southmead started the 2nd half like they had ended the first and No. 10 crossed the try line with only 7 minutes of the 2nd half gone after Kingswood were guilty of missed tackles. 38-3

With the game effectively over as a competition for Kingswood, they could have been forgiven for letting their heads drop, but this was not the case and Kingswood then went on to give their most impressive half of rugby this season.

After a tactical decision that altered their style of play, Kingswood started putting together some excellent phases of play and were rewarded with a couple of scrums 5m from Southmead's try line but Southmead's defence were holding firm, defending several waves of Kingswood attacks. Despite this, Kingswood continued to hold Southmead in their half.

There was then a return for Mike Oakley who came on to replace an injured Matt Davies.

Kingswood continued to keep the pressure on Southmead and were rewarded with a penalty on 64 minutes and Kingswood opted for the conversion attempt but unfortunately the long distance kick was unable to be converted by Ben Phillips.

The entire 2nd half only saw Southmead venture into Kingswood's half on a few occasions and even then Kingswood's defence was solid which was a credit to them given the scoreline.

The last action of the 2nd half again saw Kingswood awarded with several scrums 5m from the Southmead try-line and a try would have been more than deserved. Kingswood secured the final scrum and several rucks took them closer to the try-line but a final solo dive for the line saw Tom Lovell bring the ball within inches of their just reward but a solid Southmead defence tackled him just short and with no support the ball was turned over and Southmead cleared their lines.

The referee ended the game and Kingswood had unfortunately exited the cup, but against the defending Combination Cup champions, Kingswood can take a lot of positives, especially from the 2nd half performance.

Full Time: Southmead 38-3 Kingswood