Kingswood Suffer Biggest Defeat Of The Season Away At Ashley Down

Probably the hardest match report I've had to write in recent seasons but it wouldn't be cricket, well rugby, if I just ignored the result from Saturday's game.

Kingswood's issues with absentees in 2008 showed no signs of letting up with 7 first team players missing. Damien Crosswell, Mike Oakley & Steve Trevelyan were missing from the Forwards, but it was in the Backs where Kingswood struggled as Captain Paul Allen, Ben Phillips, Steve Ridgeway & Paul Bennett were all unavailable. Ian Kirley was brought back from injury early to strengthen the bench alongside Bramwell Beecroft. Kingswood still fielded a strong squad but numerous players were out of position and of course, with this many players missing, the last thing you need is an away trip to 2nd place Ashley Down, but this is what Kingswood faced.

The opening 10 minutes of the game was a territorial battle as both Fly Half's exchanged kicks up and down the park. It was in the 12th minute though that the game saw its first points. Derek James sent a lovely kick downfield for Kingswood but the bounce just found the line and Kingswood faced a scrum back in their own half. Ashley Down secured the scrum and the ball found there No. 15 and despite what looked like a clear case of crossing this allowed 15 to slip through the confused Kingswood defence before releasing No. 18 who found his way over the line in the corner. 5-0

Kingswood's forwards were functioning well and a series of rolling mauls and penalties meant that for the next 10 minutes Kingswood played the game in Ashley Down's half. Kingswood's defence was called into action soon after however when No. 12 broke free and appeared to be heading over the line but there was an excellent cover tackle in the centre by Winger Brad Whiston.

It wasn't until a quarter of the way through the match that the game saw more points. A penalty to Ashley Down was kicked to touch deep in the Kingswood half and a rolling maul made its way to the line before No. 9 broke from the back to creep over the line 10-0

Kingswood continued to retaliate though and on 25 minutes a scrum in Ashley Down's half was rewarded with a penalty due to Ashley Down breaking their bind. Dean Stephens slotted home the kick in front the posts and Kingswood had brought the scores closer at 10-3

Kingswood then made it over the line on 37 minutes which appeared to have brought them within a conversion of the draw, but the referee said the ball was held up and Kingswood had to settle for a scrum 5m out but sadly it came to nothing. Kingswood were still managing to create overlaps in attack but the final pass was not quite up to scratch and Kingswood could not capitalise.

Kingswood appeared to be heading into half time only 7 points behind but Ashley Down were awarded a penalty and a quick tap and go, combined with some fast hands and a sleeping Kingswood defence meant the ball was fed wide to the wing and No. 18 made his way over the line once again. An impressive kick from the fly half meant that Kingswood went into the 2nd half 17-3 down.

Half Time: Ashley Down 17-3 Kingswood

Right at the start of the 2nd half was when the game changed for Kingswood. With there scrums functioning well and turning over a couple of put ins on occasions, they then lost the services of Neil Ward who suffered a hand injury. Bramwell Beecroft came on as his replacement but Kingswood had suddenly lost an extra 8 stone in the scrums.

Ashley Down then had a morale destroying 6 minute spell starting on the 44th minute in which they ran in 3 tries. Ashley Down's Backs were now becoming the main difference between the two teams as they ran in the tries taking the score to 36-3

There was then a small piece of consolation for Kingswood as two penalties gave Kingswood a lineout in the Ashley Down 22 and Matthew Davies broke from the back of the rolling maul and crashed over the line. 36-8

Ashley Down now had Kingswood all ends up in the scrums and were forcing them back at pace which was eradicating Kingswood's attacking options

4 minutes after Kingswood's try, Ashley Down were back on the score sheet as No. 10 sent a long kick over the top of the Kingswood defence and No. 13's pace saw him reach the ball first and with a little kick through, fell on the ball to make the score 43-8

Kingswood then made their 2nd substitution as Derek James came off and Ian Kirley came on in his place for his first game back since December last year.

Ashley Down ran in a further 2 tries before the end of the game and the score finished at 55-8

The final whistle sounded and Kingswood had crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season which all but ended there promotion hopes for the season. Kingswood should hopefully see the return of Captain and top try scorer Paul Allen next week, as well as Steve Trevelyan and Mike Oakley, but it doesn't get easier for Kingswood just yet, as they face a visit from the top team in the league, Cheltenham Civil Service.

Full Time: Ashley Down 55-8 Kingswood