Kingsbridge A XV 51,

Totnes II 0

KINGSBRIDGE ‘Twos’ welcomed local rivals Totnes to High House on Saturday in a late replacement match after Brixham III decided not to honour their fixture with the Blue and Whites.

The hosts were fortunate enough to have a large squad of 27, so changes were aplenty during an entertaining afternoon.

The first half proved to be a very tight affair, with only one try scored by the hosts.

A ruck near the Totnes 22 saw flanker Jonn Mer­rin cut a fine line of attack to touch down wide out and the score remained 5-0 until the interval.

Early in the second half the hosts doubled their advantage as they crossed over for their second try.

A strong break in the Totnes 22 from replacement James Trout saw the ball fed to full-back Greg Parrott, who crossed wide out to make it 10-0.

Try number three followed soon afterwards as a quickly taken five-metre tap penalty from replacement flanker Ali Ham­ilton ended with winger Adam Morgan scoring to make it 15-0.

The hosts’ fourth try saw the Kings forwards take possession at a Totnes scrum in the 22 before driving the visitors back and releasing the ball to the backs, where Matt Barlow forced his way over for 20-0.

Try number five saw the hosts push the visitors back over their own line at a five-metre scrum for replacement number eight Andrew Horton to gain the touchdown.

Full-back Parrott converted to make the score 27-0.

Charlie Brooking was the next one on the score sheet as he crossed over wide out off the back off a ruck to take the score to 32-0.

The same player narrowly missed the well-struck conversion from the touchline.

Howev­er, Brooking scored his second try only a few minutes later as he ran in on the overlap in the opposite corner and this time he slotted the conversion beautifully from the sideline to make it 39-0.

Two further late tries followed.

The first, and the team’s eighth, saw re­placement Dan Barlow cross over and the final try went to James Trout following a strong break. Matt Barlow converted the final try to take Kingsbridge through the 50-point barrier.

Kingsbridge 1st XV were left high and dry without a fixture last weekend after Plymstock Albion Oaks decided not to honour their first-round tie in the Devon Intermediate Cup.

Kingsbridge now pro­gress to the quarter-finals in February where they will entertain Okehampton at High House.

This weekend sees Kings return to league action with a visit to Crediton while the A XV have no match after OPM II cried off.

Kingsbridge Colts travel to face local rivals Ivy­bridge in the Devon Colts Merit Table.