Keynsham 2nds beat the weather

Jack Frost was the winner at the weekend when three local games for the first, third & fourth XVs were lost to the cold snap but things were better as the 2nd XV travelled to the ‘Bridgwater Riviera’ and played their game.

With a team weakened by injury and late unavailability’s, and only 2 substitutes, it was little surprise that they got off to a very poor start. Losing Sam Whitworth in the 1st quarter did not help their chances, being replaced by partially fit Jake Brooks. At half time the home team were almost out of sight at 26-8, and the travelling supporters feared the worst.

A half time tactical substitution proved crucial with M. Fairless coming on at no. 10 and M Pels moving wider to partner R Tanner in the centre. 2 Tries within 5 minutes immediately brought the dividend of these changes and Keynsham were right back in the hunt. They continued to outplay the home side and edged in front 27-26 to complete a marvellous recovery. With less than 5 minutes to go there came a moment long discussed in the bar afterwards; “was he, L Dupp, on the line or not?” From a scrum near the line the referee decided that the Bridgwater player had scored and so the game was lost at the death 31-27.

Keynsham have to be delighted with the second half performance orchestrated by skipper N Lloyd and the fact that they a least came away with 2 league bonus points. Keynsham scorers were tries by Tanner (2), O Wynne and J H-Smith; Pels kicked a penalty and Fairless 2 conversions.