BAC (5) vs Kingswood (9) - League Game

It was with anticipation we travelled to BAC last weekend. They are always a good team when playing at BAWA, having turned over Cotham Park recently, we remembered the game from last time we knew the forwards and full-back were going to be in for a long day of it. We arrived an hour and a half before kick-off we had a chance to view the new look BAC team during the warm-up.

With Stan Bailey missing from our second row Dave Thomlin stepped up, with Steve Trevelyan slotting back into no. 8, and Damien Crosswell taking over as pack leader. Dean Stephens was still at captain with Neil Ward still injured.

The ref was openly verbal during the opening discussion and boot check, so much so we knew discipline was going to be key. Yet we seemed to forget that in the first 20mins. With BAC kicking off Kingswood were on the back foot for the best part of 20mins when, penalty after penalty kept BAC not only in the game but camped in our 22. Despite some strong drives at the fringes by their forwards the Kingswood defence stood firm and eventually BAC opted for a kick at goal after a further penalty. BAC missed.

The game then continued the same way for the rest of the half, with both packs testing the other, BAC dominating in the scrums but losing some of their line-out ball and not getting through at the fringes. BAC had a another chance at goal and missed, Kingswood then had two chances at goal which Ben Phillips took eagerly. Slotting them both to give Kingswood a 6 - 0 lead leading into half time.

One special mention in the first half was a try disallowed for Kingswood after a free flowing move in the backs saw Liam Stinchcombe cut a lovely line to dive over, only for the ref to award a forward pass. Unlucky again Liam.

The second half saw more disappointment for Liam after a kick through from the BAC winger on the attack saw Liam get back in time to cover the ball. As he slid down/across to touch the ball down, it changed direction to fall away from Liams grasp, the BAC winger then touched down for the only try of the game. 6 - 5 to Kingswood.

With renewed vigour BAC attacked the Kingswood line, but to no avail. With the Kingswood forwards retaliating in the scrums and hitting the fringes like men possessed they weren't able to do anything.

Of the few times they got the ball out to thier backs excellent cover defense from Joe Jones-Griffiths at full back and centre Paul Allen saw any attack put down. NB: at this point an excellent cover tackle saw Paul Allen break his (glass) jaw and go to Frenchay Hospital.

Whilst Kingswood were down to 14 men, captain Dean Stephens being sin binned, Kingswood won a penalty in the BAC 22. BAC were starting to get frustrated and were giving them away more and more, much like Kingswood did in the first half. Ben Phillips stepped up and duly converted. 9 - 5 to Kingswood.

With the sin bin back on, and 10 minutes left in the game, Kingswood were able to hold out to secure the narrow victory. As we have said before, a win doesn't have to be pretty and this one certainly wasn't. BAC should be kicking themselves as Kingswood were there for the taking that day.

Man of the Match - Dave Tomlin
Ass of Match - Dean Stephens