Late rally not enough at league leaders Launceston...

Launceston RFC 33 Keynsham RFC 24
The very first scrum which was within the second minute of the game led to Keynsham taking the lead. The pack drove the home side back, skipper Weston picked up and fed John Pearse who went on the short side to find a gaping hole in the defence. He then evaded two would-be tacklers to plunge over the line; Sam Challengers conversion attempt just missing. There was an immediate response from Launceston who secured a catch and drive try claimed by scrum-half Collings; conversion missed to leave it at 5-5. They were straight back on the attack after the re-start and were rewarded with a penalty from Fly-half Coles to edge ahead. Only a forward pass prevented the `all blacks` scoring again from the next re-start but on 14 minutes another catch and drive saw then go 10 points clear with a try by Jenkins and conversion from Coles.

At the 20 minute juncture Keynsham narrowed the gap to just 2 when, following a series of 5-metre scrums Weston scored and Challenger slotted the kick. Thereafter it was all one-way traffic for the hosts and the Black and Ambers were not helped by a shoulder injury to fly-half Ollie Connybear, enforcing a re-shuffle throughout the back-line and the introduction of James Wetton at no 9. A third catch and drive try came from almost the 22-metre line again credited to Collings; then a try from winger Kneebone and finally a superb individual try from full-back Edwards to complete what looked like becoming an embarrassing rout. Thus, it was 30-12 at the break.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw Keynsham camped in the Launceston 22 but failing to trouble the score-line and they play switched to the middle areas. Dan Harvey was introduced to the front row which continued the dominance that the visitors had shown in the scrum all day. Nevertheless, the hosts moved to 33 points with a penalty by Coles. The last 10 minutes were totally controlled by Keynsham. They scored the best try of the game following breaks by Gareth Bradnock, Oakley Goodland and finally finished off by Challenger who then slotted the conversion.

More was to follow when Joe Davies broke from his own half but out-ran his support. The move petered out but the K`s had a line out close to the line from which it was their turn to bag a catch and drive try touched down by Adam Harrison with possibly his first touch of the ball. This gave them the try bonus they deserved and might have lead to a second bonus point had Challenger`s conversion succeeded. But it didn`t and the whistle went as the kick missed.

A wonderful second half effort from a group who just refuse to give up.  We still need vital league points so fingers crossed for the home game versus Lydney; another tough one looms.