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South West One West
Clevedon 55,
Kingsbridge battled to the final whistle but were no match for promotion-chasing Clevedon.
After last week’s morale-boosting victory over fellow strugglers Chard, Kings were on the road north again and came up against a well-drilled Clevedon side who outplayed them in pretty much all areas of the game.
Clevedon, with two stand-out players in their seven and 10, romped to a 55-0 victory and were well worth their win.
Kings had so little ball that they were unable to put any real pressure on the home side. With their line-out malfunctioning badly and their scrum under pressure, they spent much of the cold afternoon on the defensive.
As always, this young side did not let themselves down and it was no surprise to see their best passage of play towards the end of the game.
Clevedon dominated from the kick off and were rewarded with a penalty within the first five minutes which was converted by the fly-half, whose all-round qualities were there for everyone to see.
His kicking and distribution were excellent throughout and was the catalyst to many of the tries that were scored.
The homeside ran in three tries to lead 22-0 at half time, Kings only had a missed penalty chance to show for their efforts.
The second half was more of the same with Clevedon, dominating Kingsbridge in all aspects of the game, scoring a further five tries to finish the game worthy winners 55-0.
Kings battled to the end even though they had to endure many injuries. But battle on they will. This side never gives up.
This weekend sees Kingsbridge return to action at High House for the visit of Drybrook with kick-off at 2.30pm.
Kingsbridge A XV welcome Exeter Engineers to the Longfield Pitch with KO at 2pm. Kingsbridge Colts travel to face Crediton in the Devon Cup Merit Table.
Kingsbridge
A XV 55,
Exmouth IIIs 5
Kingsbridge seconds welcomed Exmouth 3thirds to High House in the Devon Merit Table on Saturday looking to gain revenge for the 35-15 loss that they had suffered at the hands of the visitors back at the start of November.
The ‘twos’, fielding a strong side, certainly took the game to the visitors from the start and had powered into a commanding 40-0 lead by half time courtesy of six unanswered tries.
The first came early in the game as good work from fly-half Tris Couch and centre Chris Canevali saw them combine to send winger Luke Davies in to score from the Exmouth 22. Full-back James Baker added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The same players combined for the host second try as a break from Canevali saw Davies break clear from half way for his second try – again converted by Baker for 14-0.
Kingsbridge’s third try came from a poor Exmouth line-out throw that fell into the arms of flanker Billy Oram – making a welcome return to rugby after a long injury lay-off – and he crossed over from five metres to score. Baker converted again to put Kingsbridge 21-0 ahead.
Further tries followed for Couch from short range, converted by Baker for 28-0 and hooker Sid Walters-Symons, from a quickly taken tap penalty to put Kingsbridge 33-0 ahead.
The final try of the half saw fly-half Couch take possession inside the Exmouth half and a scintillating run saw him race in under the posts for his second score. Baker converted again for a 40-0 half time lead.
Flanker Oram added his second try wide out early in the second half to extend the lead to 45-0 before Exmouth finally got themselves on the scoreboard with a try of their own to make it 45-5.
Canevali then deservedly got himself on the scoresheet as he raced in to the top corner for the hosts’ eighth try before winger Davies completed his hat-trick shortly before full time as he picked up a loose Exmouth ball and raced in from half way to touch down.