Kingsbridge 29
Devon Intermediate Cup
Withycombe were taught a lesson in chance-taking as they were humbled by a clinical second-half performance from Western Counties outfit Kingsbridge.
Kings, flying high a league above Withy, were slow out of the blocks as Withycombe heaped pressure at the Brook End of the ground, only for the visitors' first visit to the opposition half to give them the opening points of the game.
Withycombe were spurred to action, and a workmanlike series of phases gave Jack Pugsley the simplest of penalty chances to make it 5-3 at half time. All the talk in the Withycombe huddle was of turning the screw and making hard work pay dividends, however in the second half it was Kings who were to take their chances.
The visitors had been slightly ahead of the game at the breakdown, and it started to pay dividends. Two missed conversions from tries early in the second half ostensibly kept Withycombe in the tie at 15-3, but the lack of a finishing touch prevented them from truly looking like scoring.
A further two tries later in the half put the result to bed. Kingsbridge were by no means far and away the better side, but by taking their chances made the result a very comfortable one. If Withycombe have plans of playing in a higher league next year, this will serve as a good yardstick. The 1st XV are back in league action next week as they visit Old Plymothians & Mannameadians.
Tiverton Athletic 29
Withycombe 2nd XV 10
Withycombe were left cursing their lack of front row experience as Tiverton ended their unbeaten Merit Table run.
Tries from Mark Wilkinson and Glen Layton kept Withycombe in the match, but a lack of forward power meant the backs had very little platform to showcase their superior speed. Next week the 2s host OPM at Raleigh Park.
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