Kingsbridge RFC 10-18 Tiverton RFC

Kingsbridge RFC's battle to keep the threat of relegation away continued at High House on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in front of a large crowd, bolstered by a number of ex-players attending the annual vice presidents lunch, this year's side has a chance to put these worries behind them but they failed to make the most of the conditions and eventually went down 18-10

The howling gale, wet pitch and constant threat of rain were always going to make open running a rugby lottery.

Kingsbridge started the better of the two teams. Crisp short passing soon had the home side making inroads into the Tiverton half, and it wasn't long before a forward drive led to Matt Hamilton crashing over, the conversion was missed.

Tiverton now began to use the wind and, although overdoing some of their kicks, kept Kingsbridge deep in their own half. Some great tackling from the new centre pairing of Tristan Couch and Ben Glover, along with the ever present back row of Ali Hamilton, Hamilton and Charlie Pope, kept the visitors at bay until a penalty, soon followed by a converted try, gave them a 10-5 lead.

This was increased to 13-15 just before half time with an opportunistic drop goal from the Tiverton stand off.

Only eight points down at half time Kingsbridge were soon right back in the match as Graham Ball finished off an exciting move to touch down and make it 13-10.

With the wind behind them now it only seemed like a matter of time until the home side scored again. Unfortunately, the game plan imploded and it was Tiverton's pack who took control of the match. Try as they might Kingsbridge just couldn't get their hands on the ball and when they did they were penalised!

Eventually after one more forward catch and drive Tiverton scored the try that finally decided the game, leaving it 18-10 to the visitors.

This weekend sees the Smurftonians, players coached by the late Alan Mundy, take on Bristol Saracens. The match takes on a more poignant note with the injury recently sustained by Alan's son Simon while playing for the Kingsbridge Young Guns in the Salcombe Sevens. All proceeds raised at this game will be going to help Simon's recovery, so please come and support.

The A XV and Colts XV are also at home. The Colts entertain Tavistock Colts in a rearranged Merit Table match which kicks off at 1.30pm. The A XV entertain Bideford at 2.30pm.