Match Report: Kingsbridge make it two away wins in a row

Kingsbridge recorded their second successive victory on the road, although after conceding two unanswered tries in the opening minutes, a win looked anything but certain.

Newton Abbot 10 – Kingsbridge 34

However, Kings gradually worked their way back into the game before taking control in the second half to run out convincing 34–10 winners.

Kingsbridge had been forced to make changes to the previous week's side, with Archie MacLachlan unavailable and Alex Smith taking over at scrum half.

It was the home side who made all the early running, storming into a ten-point lead. Kingsbridge's scrum, so dominant the previous week, struggled against a well-drilled Newton Abbot pack, and with the home side making good use of quick ball, they were over for their first try inside five minutes.

A second followed almost from the restart as Kingsbridge's defence was stretched and they were guilty of conceding far too many penalties.

Kings eventually began to settle and put some pressure on the home side, who were not helped when their influential prop was shown a yellow card. Kings took immediate advantage, Stu Harris forcing his way over to open their account.

Kings were now finding their stride and were on the scoresheet again just before half time when Oli Simons barrelled his way over to level the scores at 10–10 going into the break.

The second half saw Kingsbridge's scrum begin to take control, gaining valuable ground through a series of drives. From one of these Harris appeared certain to score, only to be stopped by an illegal tackle which resulted in the referee awarding a penalty try.

To compound Newton Abbot's problems, their prop received a second yellow card, which became a red, leaving the home side to play the remainder of the match with fourteen men.

Alex Smith, deputising for MacLachlan, grew into the game and made a fine break which took Kings deep into Newton Abbot territory. From the resulting pressure, a final drive saw Stu Winzer on hand to touch down.

Kings were now well on top, with Harris, Redwood and Simons all making hard yards and keeping the home side on the back foot. Probably the best try of the afternoon followed when some quick handling amongst the backs created the space for winger Ethan Dalton to use his pace and dive over to extend the lead.

Kingsbridge finished the game in style when the unheralded Lewis Dustan charged down a Newton Abbot clearance, with the ever-present Rich on hand to gather the loose ball and score. Tom Winzer added the conversion.

Having looked decidedly second best in the opening exchanges, Kingsbridge once again showed a ruthless edge when they got on top, turning a difficult start into a convincing victory and making it two away wins in successive weeks.