Tribute Western Counties West

Okehampton 3

KINGSBRIDGE welcomed Okehampton to High House on Satur­day – one of only two other unbeaten sides this season – but then proceeded to extend their own unbeaten league run to four from four and move to the top of the league table.

Kingsbridge had beaten the visitors three times during last season but knew Oke­hamp­ton were likely to provide more of a stern challenge on this occasion.

Kingsbridge got off to the best possible start as early forward pressure in the Okes 22 saw possession turned over at the visitors’ scrum and as the ball was moved to the back line, fly-half Ben Newman pounced through the Okehampton defence to touch down for the first try in the third minute.

The visitors missed an attempt at goal on nine minutes and Kingsbridge missed the chance to extend their lead on 13 minutes as their penalty drifted wide.

A try went begging for the hosts mid way through the half as the ball was passed directly into touch with the try line beckoning, but they doubled their lead on 30 minutes with their second try.

Following forward pressure at an Oke­hampton ruck on their 22, the attempted clearance kick was charged down by Kingsbridge number eight Jack Cope for the ball to fall directly into the arms of hooker Jake Vincent, who gave the scoring pass to scrum-half Billy Burner on the overlap to make it 10-0.

The visitors were re­duced to 14 men on 32 minutes for failing to release in the tackle and Kingsbridge used their man advantage approaching half time to extend their lead.

From a line-out on the Okehampton 22, the hosts took the catch and drove the visitors back through their 22 for flanker Ali Hamil­ton to touch down in the corner and make the score 15-0 on the stroke of half time.

Kingsbridge extended their lead to 18-0 after five minutes of the second half courtesy of a penalty from centre George Banfield before the visitors finally got on the score sheet themselves with a penalty of their own to make it 18-3.

Kingsbridge would have high hopes of crossing for their fourth try and a vital bonus point with 30 minutes of the game remaining, but despite having the lion’s share of possession they were unable to convert this into points.

Twice more the ball was passed direct into touch deep in the Okehampton 22 while a forward pass out wide on the overlap also saw another try-scoring chance missed.

The game was held up mid way through the second half due to a nasty clash of heads between two of the Okehampton players but thankfully they were able to walk off the pitch following treatment. All at KRFC hope they make a full recovery.

This Saturday sees the 1st XV take a break from league action as they welcome Plym­stock Albion Oaks to High House for the first round of the Devon Intermediate Cup. Kick-off will be at 3pm.

Kingsbridge A XV entertain Brixham IIIs on the Longfield Pitch at 2.30pm while the Colts travel to face Okehampton in the Devon Colts Merit Table.