Tribute Western Counties West
Burnham-on-Sea 15,
Kingsbridge 20
Kingsbridge made hard work of securing victory in the opening game of their return to Western Counties West.
A game of two halves for certain, Kings started in great style, line breaks a plenty, a scrum dominant and a bonus point win looked on the cards. Newman, Glover in the backs and Vincent and Palmer showing good early form.
The second half saw a complete reversal, with Burnham keeping most possession and constantly challenging the Kings defence. Some sloppy defending and an error-strewn kicking display brought the home side right back into the game, drawing level and only a late try from the visitors sealed the match.
Kings started the first half in dominant form and were soon on the scoresheet with a Tom Meatyard try after a good break by Newman and fine support play.
With Vincent making some barrelling runs Burnham were caught offside. Newman converted a penalty. Now, Kings looked in prime form and had all the possession. Kings should really have made this period count more. Chances went begging and poor line kicking allowed Burnham to keep in the game.
The pressure kept coming and Kings soon forced a scrum on Burnham’s line. Two scrums later and Kings were awarded a penalty try. A yellow card followed for the home sides prop as the visitors went into the break 0-15 up, knowing well that it should have been more.
The second half started with Burnham still down to 14 dominating and with all the possession soon scored their first try as Kings missed tackles and allowed the Burnham wing to touch down, conversion missed.
Burnham kept up the pressure and with Kings concentration poor it allowed the home side to play positively.
Kings almost made a comeback as Newman intercepted but found no support and was penalised for holding on.
Back came Burnham with a wonderful break from their 12 who sliced through with their wing on hand to take the scoring pass, and quickly followed by another, drawing them
level, but a relatively easy conversion was missed so the scores stayed level. Finally, Kings got themselves together and through a series of rolling mauls that led to a penalty, which Newman put into the corner, and from the line-out Jake Vincent scored. Kings back into the lead. The last five minutes saw some frenetic Burnham attacks. Kings held on to secure the points.
A win is a win and as Scott Holford, Kings’ new manager, said: “Things are going to get better, and thanks to Exeter Chiefs’ Stuart Townsend for coming down to help the boys through the first game.”
This weekend sees Kingsbridge bring league rugby back to High House for the visit of Sidmouth at 3pm on Saturday.
Kingsbridge A XV kick off their Devon Merit Table campaign with a visit to face Sidmouth II’s and Kingsbridge Colts begin their Colts Merit Table season with a home match with Teignmouth.
Kick-off will be on the Longfield pitch will be at 2.30pm.