Keynsham beaten by leaders

The first team travelled to the Forest of Dean to play Berry Hill.  It was hoped by supporters of both teams that it would produce a better game than the abomination that was played at the Crown Field earlier in the season. It proved so, despite a near gale force wind on Saturday making it difficult for both sides. Winning the toss, the home side decided to play against the elements in the first half which is against the norm, but proved effective. At the half way mark they led by 10-6; Keynsham’s sole points coming from the boot of fly-half Paul Edson, despite a lot of pressure being exerted by the K’s pack who were nor allowing themselves to be ‘bullied’ by the much larger home pack. With the wind behind them Berry Hill piled the pressure on and the league leaders extended their lead to 29-6. Never giving up, and encouraged by a fine performance by young wing forward Lewis Bush, who is fast finding his feet at this level, they scored a try by Graham Sage to make it 29-11, but couldn’t score again to get the losing bonus point. The difference between the sides was the home sides better mauling, other than that there wasn’t much to choose between the teams. Given that Berry Hill are top and Keynsham 4th from bottom gives room for hope for the rest of the season.

The 2nds hosted Midsomer Norton 2’s at the Crown Field and, in a game of two halves as the cliché goes, won a one sided game 52-15. In the first half Keynsham played flowing incisive rugby with great continuity and by tries from James Marsh, Paul Williams, Sam Challenger (replacing the injured Mike Pells), James Chuter and a sparkling, twinkled toed effort from John Bowden saw themselves with a 33-3 lead at half time. The extra points came from 3 conversions by Bowden and one by Gary Dix. Despite an early 2nd half try from Matt Coughlin, converted by Bowden the game deteriorated greatly as Keynsham had clearly lost their focus. Although outclassed, ‘Norton did not give up and were rewarded by two tries, one of which was converted. In between these, Keynsham scored 2 more tries themselves from Kerran Beavis & Chuter for his second.

The third’s league game was defaulted by Bath side Walcott O B’s which left a surfeit of players wanting a game for the fourth’s against Bristol Telephones on a back pitch at Keynsham. Thanks to the good will of the visitors, Keynsham managed to give 24 people a match, or at least, part of a match. A constant supply of fresh legs, together with the strength of Wei Ling in the scrums, enabled the K’s to run out 36-17 winners. The home side’s points came by means of tries from Ed Balmond (2), Matt Sheehan, Geoff Green and Lloyd James and conversions by Ian Mann (2) and Lewis Thorn.

Next week the 1sts & 2nds are both at home for rearranged league games against Bristol Harlequins and Weston-s-Mare 2’s respectively.