Keynsham hold on tight to early lead
All the points were scored in the first half as Keynsham secured their first victory of their Regional 2 Severn campaign at Frome.
At the third time of asking, Keynsham produced enough to gain the win on the road. Frome had actually started the brightest and took a 7-0 lead through a converted try. However, Keynsham looked threatening with ball in hand throughout as they built good territory.
A penalty for offside was converted to put Keynsham on the board before some hard-fought phases after another penalty saw a red card to a player from either side. Shortly after, an attack led to a score just wide of the posts, which was converted to give Keynsham a 10-7 lead.
From a five-metre lineout, Keynsham scored in the corner unconverted to increase their advantage before a Frome penalty right before half-time made it 15-10. The second half proved a tense affair, with both sides looking to attack. However, no further scores were added and Keynsham emerged victorious.
■ AVONVALE belied their lowly league position by taking the game to potential league favourites Combe Down and should have been three tries up by half-time in Counties 1 Southern South.
Unfortunately Vale’s lack of experience showed and they struggled to turn position and territory into points. Vale were all over the Down for the first 30 minutes but could not get over the whitewash. Down then got into the Vale 22 and scored an unconverted try.
Vale responded and, after a bullocking run from captain Marcus Larbelestier, he ran through around six defenders dragging them over the line. Full-back Josh Meagor converted to give Vale a 7-5 lead at half-time. Vale were brimming in confidence, but a lack of execution let them down and they gave the ball away cheaply in the second half.
Combe Down brought on their experienced bench and their fitness told as they went on to score a further five tries in the second half to win the game 36-7. Vale had them rattled for 40 minutes, but must learn to keep going for the whole game.
■ AVON produced an impressive allround team performance to defeat previously unbeaten Imperial 22-0 in their first home fixture at Hicks Field in Counties 2 Somerset.
A good start saw Jonny Batchelor finish off an Avon attack to touch down the opening try inside five minutes, which he duly converted. Further scores seemed likely as Avon launched their powerful ball carriers Josh Hiscott, Xander Davis, Dan Cousineau and Zak Harwood into the heart of the defence, mixed with some subtle off-loads and wide-ranging attacks.
Yet the visitors’ defence remained intact and as the half progressed, Imps started to take control of possession and territory, forcing Avon to defend from deep. Only outwalcot standing tackling and commitment prevented Imperial from crossing the whitewash as the rest of the half remained scoreless.
The second half opened with a reprise of the first as player-coach Jake Coates showed power, pace and poise to burst through to score under the posts. Batchelor again added the extras to open up a 14-point margin. Avon were now increasingly on top, securing ample lineout possession via Dan Griffin and their pack started to dominate the scrums and mauls.
Will Hayward produced a masterclass at flanker with his tackles, turnovers, link play and ball carries to deservedly win the Jos Davies Man of the Match award. With a series of flowing three-quarter moves, only desperate defence and the occasional mishandling in the swirling wind prevented further scores.
Eventually, Avon added their third try as scrum-half Ollie Flight was rewarded for his dangerous sniping runs with a try in the corner from another powerful forward maul. An Avon penalty extended their lead before Rhys van der Handel came off the bench for a welldeserved debut after flying back from Scotland for the match.
On Saturday, Avon resume their travels as they play at Minehead.
ELSEWHERE, Walcot managed a half-century in Counties 1 Southern South. Hosting Trowbridge 2nd, Walcot ran out 52-19 winners to claim a second win in three games.
In Counties 3 Somerset North, Keynsham 2nd were beaten 45-22 by early leaders Chew Valley 2nd as they avenged Keynsham’s 16-10 victory from February. Keynsham have now won one and lost one of their opening two games. Bottom side Oldfield Old Boys 2nd were docked ten points for awarding Bristol Harlequins an away walkover.
Old Sulians edged out Bristol Telephone Area 19-12 to claim their third win from three games, while Stothert & Pitt were beaten for a second time – 34-24 at home to Nailsea & Backwell.
The Counties 4 Somerset North campaign began on Saturday with Walcot 2nd enjoying a 41-24 win over Frome 3rd. Keynsham 3rd continued their losing streak against Old Redcliffians 3rd in their first game for over ten years as Old Reds won 38-17.
Corsham got off to a fantastic start in their Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts Central campaign, thrashing Westbury 71-7, 20 points more than their victory in September 2006 as they continued their old winning streak against Westbury. Bradford on Avon were beaten 52-32 at Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew as they continued their losing run against
their opposition, despite Bradford scoring eight more points here than their previous two encounters combined.
Combe Down 2nd have an early lead at the top of Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central after scoring a halfcentury at home to Melksham. Down ran out 55-3 winners to make it two wins in two against Melksham.
Corsham 2nd sit just a point behind, having played a game less, following their 25-21 win at Bath Saracens. It was a much-improved display from Saracens who were whitewashed 66-0 the last time these sides met in February 2018, but it’s still a second loss from two games this season.
It was also back-to-back defeats for Colerne in Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North as they went down 49-12 at Royal Wootton Bassett 4th.
■ BATH LADIES got their new season off to the perfect start in the Women’s Championship South. Travelling to Hove, Bath ran out 48-0 winners after Sarah Humphries and Leah Mcgoldrick scored a brace of tries. There were also scores for Clea Fawcett, Megan Wynne, Ella Verwoert and Anya Small, while Small and Sarah Holloway nailed a couple of conversions each.