KINGSBRIDGE 7 points NORTH PETHERTON 21
For the second time in three weeks Kingsbridge entertained the league leaders at High House. Two weeks ago they endured a narrow one point loss to Bideford and last Saturday it was a two try to one defeat by Somerset side North Petherton.
The hosts had managed to stay in touch with their powerful visitors right up until the final quarter before Petherton pulled away late in the game to make the game safe.
North Petherton opened the scoring after six minutes with a penalty before they increased their lead to 0-8 with the first try. A scrum near half way saw the North Petherton number 8 pick up from the base and with Kingsbridge’s defence failing to get in the initial tackle he found support from one of his second rows who powered over on the overlap to score wide out. A further North Petherton penalty two minutes later saw them increase their lead to 0-11 and they held this until the half time interval.
In the second half Kingsbridge enjoyed greater possession and more territorial advantage but found breaking through the last line of defence increasingly difficult. Whilst in defence they were stretched by the well organised visitors but managed to keep their line intact.
Finally in the 23rd minute of the second half with Kingsbridge camped in the Petherton 22 they were able to break the deadlock and open their scoring. From a scrum ten metres from the Petherton line, Kingsbridge nearly messed up their attack and were forced back to the 22. The ball however fell to centre Ed Lennon and he used his power to break through the Petherton back line and despite being tap-tackled just short of the line, he was able to recover enough to gain the touchdown. Scrum half Matt Barlow added the conversion to bring the hosts to within striking distance at 7-11.
At this point Kingsbridge were undoubtedly enjoying their best period of the game and the visitors were definitely rattled. A further score almost immediately could have easily changed the final outcome of the game. Unfortunately for the hosts the visitors were able to regroup and Kingsbridge were unable to penetrate again.
Play moved back into the Kingsbridge half and with seven minutes remaining the visitors extended their lead to 7-14 with another penalty. Then with barely four minutes left on the clock the visitors had a scrum five metres from the Kingsbridge line. With possession secured and Kingsbridge unable to withhold the forwards drive, North Petherton crossed over for their second try of the game. The simple conversion was added to take the visitors clear at 7-21 and there was insufficient time left for Kingsbridge to reduce the deficit.
This Saturday sees Kingsbridge entertain Okehampton in the first round of the Devon Intermediate Cup at High House with kick off at 2.30pm. Kingsbridge A XV travel to face Teignmouth II’s in the Devon Merit Table whilst the Colts entertain Plymstock in the Colts Merit Table on the Longfield Pitch with kick off at 2.00pm.
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