Match Report

League Match

Kingswood v Tetbury

After last weeks defeat to Ross On Wye, Kingswood had a chance to put things right with a home fixture against last seasons Gloucester 3 champions, Tetbury.  Kingswood won the last encounter by one point thanks to a last minute try, and with Kingswood and Tetbury starting this match in 3^rd and 4^th in the league respectively, it had all the hallmarks of being another nail biter.

With the defeat still in the back of their minds, Kingswood started the game strongly, with the forwards rucking hard and the backs putting some excellent passing moves together.  Kingswood were also defending well and on 9 minutes, Ian Kirley made an excellent defensive tackle and the ball was spilt, John Bogan picked up the loose ball and set off on a strong, darting run before passing the ball out to Mark McGarrigle who broke through a challenge and suddenly found himself staring down the eyes of the Tetbury fullback.  Fortunately, Paul Allen was running in support and as Mark McGarrigle drew the fullback infield, he sent a quick pass out to Paul Allen who sprinted unchallenged to the Tetbury try line before spectacularly diving over. 5-0.

From the restart, Kingswood retained the ball and began building a platform for another offensive attack.  Kingswood were still rucking well and this was helping them to retain the ball and make some good ground.  With Kingswood just inside the Tetbury half, another ruck was secured and the backs were lined up ready for action, however when Ben Phillips removed the ball from the ruck, he found there was a Tetbury forward so offside that the pass was not on.  However, instead of waiting for the referee to award a penalty, Phillips darted around the side of the ruck, slipped through a gap in the Tetbury line and sprinted all the way before touching down right under the Tetbury posts.  Ian Kirley converted the kick and Kingswood were 12-0 up with 12 minutes played.

Kingswood were flying and were not relenting in their pursuit for more points.  On 17 minutes, another passing move found its way out to Dean Stephens, who sent a kick over the top and deep down field.  The Tetbury fullback ran back and gathered the ball, but upon turning around  was greeted by three Kingswood players who dragged him into touch.  It was an excellent piece of play from Kingswood which had secured them a lineout just a matter of metres from the Tetbury try line.  The lineout was secured and Kingswood drove forward powerfully before Damien Crosswell got the ball down just on the Tetbury try line.  Ian Kirley couldn’t convert but Kingswood were now 17-0 up.

Kingswood continued to press and the forwards were capitalising on any Tetbury mistakes which meant any Tetbury attacks were short lived.  On 33 minutes Kingswood turned over a Tetbury scrum and a passing move began.  Mike Oakley received the ball and went on a surging run, powering his way through several tackles before releasing the ball to Paul Allen who then sent an outrageously long pass out to Rich Francis who had a clear run in over the Tetbury try line.  Ian Kirley converted his 2nd kick from 4 and Kingswood were 24 – 0 up.

With Kingswood holding an impressive lead and with half time only 3 minutes away, Tetbury then managed to pull a try back when No. 13 broke through the Kingswood line and skipped through a few attempted/missed tackles before dropping under the posts.  This was just a little warning to Kingswood that Tetbury were not here to make up the numbers and gave Kingswood something to think about going into the break.  The conversion from No. 9 was good and the half time score was Kingswood 24 – 7 Tetbury.

Half Time: Kingswood 24 - 7 Tetbury

It was important for Kingswood to start the 2^nd half strong and to not let Tetbury back into the game, and that is exactly what they did.  Kingswood should have scored early on but Dean Stephens pass to Paul Allen was fumbled just metres out and Tetbury were let off.  However, with 13 minutes played of the 2^nd half another flowing Kingswood move began.  The ball made it’s way out to Stan Bailey, who showed why even at the ripe old age of 39 he is still playing first team rugby, when he sold an outrageous dummy and ran through the Tetbury defence, Bailey waited until he had drew in enough players to create a gap before sending the ball out to Mike Oakley who ran in to give Kingswood their 5^th try of the game.  Ian Kirley made it 3 kicks from 5 and the score was now 31 – 7.

67 minutes gone and Tetbury had a penalty just inside their half.  The kick was sent down field but it did not reach touch and was instead caught by Neil Ward who went off on a strong run using his powerful handoff to break his way through the Tetbury forwards.  Unfortunately the ball was spilt and Tetbury regained possession and started a passing move which was ended almost instantly when Damien Crosswell put in an almighty tackle which saw the ball roll free and reclaimed by Kingswood.  Kingswood countered quickly and a quick hands move ended with Mike Oakley grabbing his 2^nd try and Kingswood’s 6^th.  Ian Kirley made it 4 from 6 and Kingswood had a commanding 38 points to 7 lead.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Kingswood set up another attack.  Neil Ward went on another strong break through run before the ball made its way out to Dean Stephens who sent another kick over the top of the Tetbury line.  The Tetbury fullback secured the ball but was once again pounced upon by the Kingswood forwards and a ruck was formed which Kingswood secured due to the number of bodies hitting the ruck.  The ball made its way out of the ruck to Ben Phillips who could have grabbed himself another try but instead he sent the ball out to Rich Francis who had an easy run over to grab his 2^nd try of the game.  Kingswood now held a 43 points to 7 lead.

Stan Bailey and Mike Oakley were then replaced by James Dicks and Alex Green.

Full Time: Kingswood 43 - 12 Tetbury

Quote of The Week: "To You I'm A Nobody, To Me I'm A Somebody...And This Somebody Is Going To Break Your Legs" Stu Close To Ian Kirley