Keynsham go down in Gloucester

Under leaden skies on a gloomy November day, Keynsham produced a leaden performance when visiting Gordon League RFC in Gloucester. In a mundane first half Keynsham gave away 20 meters for ‘chat’ to the referee which made the final penalty award eminently kickable and the gift was accepted by the home side, leaving the half time score at 6 all. This was despite Keynsham having been camped on Gordon League’s line for a full 12 minutes just prior to the end of the half; it was felt, at the time, that this failure to convert pressure into points may well have been crucial to the final outcome. The ½ time substitution of Bryden Tanner did nothing to improve matters and the second half saw the pendulum swing and the home side spent 10/12 minutes pressing just yards away from the Keynsham line. Unlike Keynsham however, they were able to break the defence down eventually and crossed for a vital try to edge them in front 11-6. Thereafter Keynsham were pinned into their own half almost constantly, with just 2 minor sorties into the opposition 22. Gordon League added a penalty and a converted try to finish 21-6 winners. For some reason the team failed to get out of first gear and all 18 Keynsham players failed to reach even average standard, which would have been enough to secure victory.

The seconds, meantime were hammering Walcott 2’s at the Crown Field. With Dean Bodman to the fore they rattled in 9 tries in total, showing great skill and determination, lacking last week. Russ Tanner crossed 4 times, 2 each for James Marsh and Louis Bush and Jake Brooks once were the 5 point men with John Bowden adding a penalty and 2 conversions. Final score 53-12.

The third team won a thriller at Weston. There was nothing between to two sides who went at each other tooth and nail for the whole 80 minutes. The lead changed hand several times and thanks to tries from Tony Watts and James Seager and 5 points from the boot of Rob Bracken they finally scraped home 15-14.

A fourth team was also on show at the Crown Field. Despite resolute defence from the whole team they lost to Old Bristolians 27-5. Mike Marsh and Lew Spind starred for the home side whose stamina showed as they had the final score of the game – a try by Rhys Davies.