Events
The Lexus Junior Rugby Festival 2008/09 South West of England Regional Heat was held on the 28th September at Keynsham, with the U15’s winning there age group and progress to the next round of the tournament.
Keynsham U15’s Win Lexus Junior Rugby Festival 08/09
Pool Matches.
Keynsham 5, Ivy Bridge 0: A well contested opening match, with Josh Fox scoring the opening try.
Keynsham 12, Pentyrch 0: A tetchy game, which saw Keynsham run out victors over a competitive welsh side. Mike Saunders, ran in the first try and Harry Milsom-Dyer picked up a well judged kick from George Boulton, to cruise in for his first try under the posts.
Keynsham 19, Swindon 0: Keynsham rang the changes against a enthusiastic Swindon and all players performed well to run out comfortable victors. Try’s from Steve Uren, Josh Fox and an excellent final touch down from Kieron Welsh.
Key 12, Cheltenham 0: The final game of the pool saw Keynsham deliver an unnerving victory against a strong team. The first score came from Steve Uren after an exciting run and offload from Josh Fox put him away. Harry Milsom-Dyer finished off a great passing move through the backs to close out the game and send Keynsham through as group winners.
Final
Keynsham19 v Wimborne 14
The climax to a great day saw the Lexus Regional Final played at 5.00pm, on pitch 2. Both teams entered the final after winning all their pool matches.
Keynsham were shocked to concede their first try of the tournament due to an excellent kick off move, with Wimborne scoring under the posts and converting the resulting drop goal. One minute played Keynsham 0, Wimborne 7.
Keynsham received the kick off and after a short passage of play, a ruck formed, with Jake Holcombe lining up for a crash ball. Jake received a good pass from John Pearce and handing off one of Wimbornes forwards crashed through their defence, running 40 yards to score a try under the posts. The resultant conversion was duly drop kicked by George Boulton. 2 minutes played Keynsham 7, Wimborne 7.
A determined Keynsham side managed to contain a strong and confident Wimborne side for the next couple of minutes. Momentum was gained through a superb Steve Uren try on the right flank of Wimborne’s 22 where he broke from the base of the scrum, after a strike against the head by Brandon Curtis, chipped over the winger to race onto the bobbling ball for a try. Keynsham 12, Wimborne 7.
By half time Keynsham had powered their way into the ascendancy. The restart did nothing to ease the pressure on the Wimborne defence and with a great elusive run, beating 4 despairing tackles, Steve Uren broke free and scored his second try of the match under the posts. The extra 2 points making the score Keynsham 19, Wimborne 7.
Wimborne’s spirit wasn’t broken, they raised their game for a final flourish, and with their backs running the ball from a scrum on the Keynsham 10 metre line their strong centre evaded a couple of Keynsham tackles to burst through and score under the posts. Keynsham 19, Wimborne 14.
It was a nervous final minute or two for Keynsham but they weren’t to be denied victory with the final whistle bringing an end to a very competitive game, played in the right spirit, and which all players should be proud of.
Keynsham will now go on to represent the South West and Wales region and Lexus Bristol in the national finals on Easter Sunday 09.