Kingswood Suffer 1st League Defeat Of Season

Kingswood were back in league action this week with a long journey up the motorway to play last seasons Gloucester 1 relegation sufferers, Cheltenham Civil Service.

Kingswood started the game well and for the first 5 minutes they kept Cheltenham in their 22, Kingswood unfortunately could not turn pressure into points and eventually Cheltenham managed to clear their lines. For the next 10 minutes the game was an evenly contested affair in the middle of the park as both teams cancelled each other out.

It was then the turn of Cheltenham to put Kingswood under pressure, but like Cheltenham, Kingswood's defence was holding firm. There was then an early set back for Kingswood as Ben Phillips suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Sean Voisey.

It wasn't until the 29th minute that the game saw its first points and unfortunately for Kingswood, they went the way of Cheltenham. Kingswood were awarded a scrum 5m from their own try-line and the ball was sent back into the try area for the kick downfield, unfortunately for Kingswood, the referee blocked the view of the flight of the ball which was spilt and Cheltenham's No. 6 reacted first to get the ball down for their first try. 5-0

With Kingswood now clear of their 22, they began to put together some excellent phases of play to put the pressure back on Cheltenham. Just when things were looking better for Kingswood, they suffered another set back when Neil Ward was also injured and had to be replaced by Matt Davies.

Kingswood managed to keep the pressure on Cheltenham and it finally paid off with the last action of the first half when a solid Kingswood scrum 10m out was sent to the backs and Full Back Paul Bennett received a lovely pass at full pace to crash through the Cheltenham defence to bring the scores level. Ian Kirley took over kicking duties from the injured Ben Phillips but was unable to add the extra two points and the teams went in level at half time. 5-5

Half Time: Cheltenham CS 5-5 Kingswood

Having battled their way to an even score at half time, Kingswood made a terrible start to the 2nd half when after only 8 minutes of the half gone, they fell behind again after Cheltenham were awarded a scrum 5m out and No. 8 crashed over the line. No. 10 added the conversion and Kingswood found themselves 12-5 down.

Kingswood then started to fight back and had a good spell of possession in the Cheltenham half of the pitch, Cheltenham however defended well and a long clearance downfield into touch once again placed Kingswood in their half and on the back foot.

On 65 minutes the game saw another try as Kingswood conceded a penalty just in front of their try line and a quick tap penalty from No. 3 saw him crash over the line. No. 10 added a lovely touchline conversion to increase Cheltenham's lead to 19-5

Cheltenham were now controlling proceedings but some dogged Kingswood defending was keeping them at bay. That was until the 80th minute when Cheltenham secured a lineout before a ruck was finally formed and No. 11 ran over from close range to make the score 26-5

Kingswood continued to battle on however and deep into injury time their determination paid off as they were awarded a penalty in the Cheltenham half. The penalty was taken quickly and the ball sent to the backs before it eventually arrived in the hands of Paul Allen and with a lovely side step, he found a gap in the Cheltenham defence and he ran over to grab Kingswood a consolation try right on the stroke of full time. Ian Kirley was unable to add the two points. 26-10

The final whistle sounded and Kingswood had fallen to their first defeat of the season. Despite this, they are still occupying 4th spot in the league and if they secure a victory next week at home against 3rd place Ashley Down, a promotion push will well and truly be on.

Full Time: Cheltenham CS 26-10 Kingswood

Quote Of The Week: Ben Phillips comments on the Cheltenham Area sign: Ooh Cheltenham Arena!