Kingswood Continue Unbeaten League Start Away At Westbury

Kingswood's 2nd league fixture of the season saw them take the long coach journey to Westbury On Severn. The last time the two teams met at Westbury, it was a low scoring affair, so Kingswood knew they would have to work hard for a victory. Kingswood did not make the best start to the game when they conceded a penalty, from which Westbury kicked to touch to secure themselves a lineout. The ball made its way to No. 10 and he sold a lovely dummy and broke through the Kingswood defence to grab the first try of the game. He also added the conversion to give Westbury a strong 4th minute lead. 7-0

2 minutes later and Kingswood conceded another penalty for handling in the ruck but Westbury's No. 10 was unable to convert. For the next 20 minutes the game was a very scrappy affair and on the narrow Westbury pitch, Kingswood were finding it hard to play expansive rugby and the Westbury defence was defending its lines well against the Kingswood forwards.

On 27 minutes, Kingswood were awarded a penalty and Ben Phillips stepped up and gave Kingswood their first points of the game. 7-3

Westbury were then reduced to 14 men after their No. 8 was binned for violent conduct. Kingswood were now starting to get into the game but were still finding it hard work to penetrate the Westbury defence, whose tactics on the small pitch were working well.

Deep into first half injury time, Westbury were awarded a penalty in their half from which they secured a lineout and it looked as though Kingswood would be entering the 2nd half 4 points down. However, the ball was secured by Westbury and as the ball was sent to the backs, Dean Stephens burst forward and intercepted a pass which left him with an unchallenged run over the Westbury line. Ben Phillips converted and Kingswood incredibly had a 7-10 lead as the half time whistle sounded.

Half Time: Westbury OS 7 - 10 Kingswood

Kingswood started the 2nd half well and there was only 7 minutes on the clock before they scored their next points. Westbury were awarded a scrum 5m from their own try line but the Kingswood pack drove well and secured the ball. A Kingswood attack was defended well by Westbury and Kingswood had to settle for the put in at the next scrum. The scrum was secured by Kingswood and Steve Trevelyan broke free but was tackled just short of the Westbury whitewash, a ruck was formed and Ben Phillips released the backs and a flowing move between Dean Stephens then Paul Allen saw a final pass to Ian Kirley, who dived over the line to grab Kingswood's 2nd try of the game. Ben Phillips again added the two extra points. 7-17

The game then became awash with penalty kicks which was the ideal option on the short and narrow Westbury pitch. The first penalty was awarded to Westbury in the 56th minute after Kingswood were adjudged to have been offside and No. 10 stepped up to convert the 3 points. 10-17

2 minutes later and it was now Kingswood's turn to reply after Westbury were penalised for obstruction. Ben Phillips converted to give Kingswood back their 10 point advantage. 10-20

3 minutes later, Westbury were awarded the next penalty after Kingswood were penalised for not retreating 10. Again No. 10 stepped up and Kingswood's lead was reduced back to 7 points. 13-20

On 67 minutes, Westbury were awarded another penalty but this time No. 10 was unable to convert and Kingswood's lead remained at 7 points.

Kingswood were then awarded a penalty in the Westbury half and they chose to take the 3 points but the game was stopped for an injury. When the game restarted, the decision was incorrectly reversed by mistake and a quick kick downfield by Westbury put an unprepared Kingswood defence under pressure. Kingswood were eventually penalised for holding on and Westbury's No. 10 converted the resulting penalty kick to bring Kingswood's lead down to just 4 points. 16-20

There was then a break from all the 3 point penalty kicks as the game was played out in the centre of the park. That was until deep into injury time when Kingswood were awarded another penalty for offside and Ben Phillips calmly slotted another kick between the uprights to make the game safe for Kingswood. 16-23

A hard-fought game then came to an end and Kingswood had secured their 2nd league victory in as many weeks. Kingswood now have a cup match at home to look forward to on Saturday against league opponents, Old Elizabethans.