KINGSBRIDGE 23 points EXETER SARACENS 12
KINGSBRIDGE finally produced the performance and the result that they and their supporters have been waiting for on Saturday as they overcame Exeter Saracens to produce their first home win of the season.
With a team that actually looked more balanced, Kingsbridge enjoyed an excellent first half where they were by far the better team. On reflection they probably should have finished off more of the scoring
opportunities that they had near the visitor’s line early in the game as Saracens came back strongly during the second half and the hosts were forced into some desperate defending late in the match.
The hosts got off to the best start as scrum half Matthew Barlow was on target with two penalties in the opening ten minutes. A third successful kick on 21 minutes saw Kingsbridge extend their advantage to a 9-0 lead. Kingsbridge then scored the first try of the game, shortly before the interval, with a move straight from the training field. With the hosts securing quick possession at a scrum just inside the Saracens 22 the ball was quickly switched to the back line and centre Ed Lennon, running from deep, powered his way through the centre channel to score under the posts. Barlow added the simple conversion to see Kingsbridge hold a 16-0 half time lead.
In the second half the hosts increased their lead to 23-0 with their second try of the game ten minutes after the interval. A sensation weaving run from fly half Tristan Couch from near the half way line saw play taken deep into the Saracens 22 and whilst most people thought that possession had been lost, Couch was able to neatly offload for centre Matt Gibbens to force his way over to score from close range. Again Barlow was on target with the conversion as Kingsbridge pulled clear.
Now whether it was Kingsbridge easing their foot off the pedal or whether it was Saracens finally getting their attacking act together is open to debate, but the visitors forced their way back strongly mid way through the second half to give the home side some serious concerns. A converted score near the posts reduced the deficit to 23-7 before another try in the corner saw it reduced further to 23-12 with 12 minutes remaining.
Kingsbridge received two yellow cards in the final quarter of the game which put further pressure on their defence in being a man short. However the home side were not to be outdone on this occasion and they managed to keep the visitors at bay and record a much needed second victory of the season.
This Saturday sees Kingsbridge take a week’s break from the league whilst the A XV entertain OPM II’s in a friendly at High House at 2.30pm. The Colts entertain Torquay Colts in a friendly on the Longfield Pitch at 2.00pm.
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