Kingswood Say Farewell To Gloucester 1 With Stunning Home Victory Over Table-Toppers Longlevens

With relegation into Gloucester 2 confirmed last week, Kingswood took to the field on Saturday to play their last Gloucester 1 league game after 4 rollercoaster seasons. With only 4 wins under their belts all season, and an average score-line of 16-40, the packed side-line of Old Boys & Sponsors probably feared the worst as Kingswood strolled out on the field to take on Gloucester 1 Champions, Longlevens.

However, what most of the onlookers were not aware of was an urgent players meeting that had taken place the Thursday before. Training was cut short and players from all sides gathered in the clubhouse to receive a very frank talk from Chairman Jim Stacey. The players listened, had their say, and yes at points the conversation got quite heated, but by the end of the meeting, there was a feeling of unity in the room, the air had been cleared and all those present knew how we were to move forward as a club.

With the players buzzing after the meeting, they went on to shock everyone watching, including the opposition, as they raced into a 3 try lead, with less than 20 minutes on the clock. First to touch down was Joe Jones-Griffiths, who won the foot race to a chip over the top kick, to dab down with only a few minutes on the clock.

With Kingswood’s burly pack turning over opposition scrums for a past time, they were dominating possession and territory. Soon after the first try, some simple hands put Hooker Damien Crosswell away up the wing. Showing the pace of his Back counterparts, Crosswell just had the Full-Back to beat. But rather than going through him, Crosswell showed some fantastic footwork to step the covering tackle and get the ball down over the line to cap off his last game for Kingswood RFC after 13 seasons.

With Kingswood flying, they rounded off an incredible opening quarter when they made light work of a 5 metre scrum, pushing the away side pack back over their own try-line before No. 8, Joe McMullen, dived on the ball to send the side-line into a state of frenzy.

A Joe Jones-Griffiths conversion, plus a penalty kick, saw Kingswood take an incredible 20-0 lead into half time.

The worst thing that could have happened to Kingswood’s momentum was the 10 minute interval, and on commencement of the 2nd half, the game was a much different spectacle. Longlevens started to see a lot more of the ball and used their Backs to devastating effect, and by the hour mark, they had pulled 2 tries back, making the score 20-12.

There was then a long break in play as Flanker Josh Smith suffered a neck injury. The decision was then made to move the game onto Kingswood other pitch. Thankfully Josh is doing fine, take it steady pal. After a 15 minute break, the game got back underway. On the much smaller pitch, the game became frantic, as normal kick clearances found their way to opposition try-lines in just a matter of bounces.

Kingswood thought they had grabbed themselves a bonus point try late on, as Nick Coe dived over the line, sadly, he was more concerned with celebrating than the actual grounding of the ball, and he let it slip out of his grasp. An action that later saw him presented with the AOTM award.

There was a heart in mouth moment with a few minutes remaining when Longlevens managed to exploit a tiny gap on the tiny pitch and it appeared for all the world that their winger was going to race over in the corner. Fortunately, he decided to stop and try and change direction, but was greeted by Centre Ashley Honeywell, who gladly smashed him into touch.

The referee then brought the game to a close and Kingswood had finished the turbulent 60th Anniversary season with a hard-fought but fantastic victory.

It was a bitter-sweet victory, as it did go to show what this side are capable of achieving and they really shouldn’t be in Gloucester 2 next season, but unfortunately that is the price to pay.

But the line in the sand has been drawn. The players take the relegation on the chin and look forward to a positive 2015/16 season.

But in the meantime, much like the professionals, the players look forward to a weekends rest in a hot country, as they go for some rest and relaxation in Benidorm. Have a great time guys and come back refreshed.

Some final thank yous:

A huge thank you to Dave Tomlin, who steps down as Club Captain at the end of this season. Your tireless work in getting a team out each week is hugely appreciated.

To Damien Crosswell, a loyal servant to Kingswood RFC’s 1st XV for 13 season who sadly leaves us for work purposes.

To Mike Jones – Thank you for persevering during those cold winter months of training when numbers were less than adequate.

To Sarah Shaw – our life saver.

To Ian Hardwell and Paul Stephens for all your side-line efforts. Let’s just take it a bit easier in future shall we!

To Jackie for her homemade cooking each week and the bar staff who keep us lubricated.

To the sponsors of Kingswood RFC who’s generosity this season has not only been vital to keeping the hot water on, but for getting us closer to our dreams of a better clubhouse.

To the players – it’s been difficult, but we have shown what we can do. Let’s move on and move up.

To the committee – it’s a 24/7 365 ball-ache sometimes, but the club couldn’t survive with your drive and determination.

And finally, to all the supporters, fans and members of the community that cheered on the boys this season. We can’t wait to see you come September.

For now, goodbye Gloucester 1, we will see you again.