Kingswood Suffer Shock Defeat In Mud Bath

Kingswood faced Tetbury on Saturday in a game played in the worst conditions I have ever seen, so much so that this match report will be brief as my notes had completely disintegrated by the end of the game. No one knew if the game would go ahead but the referee decided 15 minutes before kick off that the game would be played but advised Kingswood that they should have a change of shirts ready for half time. With Mike Oakley, Ian Kirley and Derek James missing from action, there were call ups for Anthony Davies and Neil Ward, with Paul Bennett also making a return.

Tetbury started the stronger side and kept Kingswood pinned in their 22 with a series of cheeky kicks over the top into the Kingswood try area. The kicks over the top of the defence were not threatening to the score as Mark McGarrigle was always on hand at Full-Back to secure the 22 drop out, but the boggy conditions meant that the restarts could not clear Kingswood out of their half with the ball sticking in the mud.

Despite the early pressure though, it was Kingswood that grabbed the lead with 9 minutes on the clock. A lovely breaking run by Paul Allen sent him deep downfield and before reaching the full-back, he sent a pass out wide to Mark McGarrigle who had a clear run in over the line. Despite an excellent kick, Ben Phillips conversion just drifted wide but Kingswood held a 5-0 lead

The weather was proving to be a real leveller for both teams and it wasn't long before the sides became indistinguishable, as this photo shows!

Tetbury then managed to pull a try back on 19 minutes after a slippery rolling maul made its way over the line as difficult footing underground made it hard for Kingswood to halt the momentum. Agonisingly for Kingswood, Number 10's conversion was good and Tetbury now held the lead at 5-7

With Tetbury using the kicks over the top to keep Kingswood pinned back, the remainder of the half was a complete wash out and at some stages decisions were given incorrectly as neither team could be told apart.

Half Time: Kingswood 5-7 Tetbury

Kingswood changed shirts at half time but within 10 minutes this again had become totally worthless. Kingswood did start the 2nd half the better side and had a string of scrums 5m out but neither one could be capitalised on due to the conditions.

With Kingswood seeing a lot more of the possession, it was ironically this that led to their downfall as the weather and pitch conditions meant that most attacks came to nothing. In fact, 3 consecutive Kingswood attacks ended with knock-ons which allowed Tetbury to clear their lines from the boot.

By now the game was pretty much farcical, with handling errors galore. The referee decided though that the game should go through to the full 80 minutes. With neither side being able to string any real chances together it meant that Tetbury's conversion was enough to steal the game and it meant that Kingswood slipped to their first home defeat of the season.

This now makes the top of the table close once again as 3 teams look like battling it out for the 2nd promotion spot behind Cheltenham Civil Service. Kingswood now travel to Old Elizabethans on Saturday where they hope to get their promotion push back on track.

Full Time: Kingswood 5-7 Tetbury