South West One here we come.

Chosen Hill 3 - 24 Keynsham

Needing just the 1 league point to secure first place in the Western Counties North league, Keynsham took a googly number of supporters up to Gloucester; nerves were jangling following last season’s near miss for promotion.

No need to worry though, Keynsham came out of the traps with all guns blazing from the kick-off. Playing with speed, power, skill and control they blasted the opposition away, rattling up a seventeen point lead well within the first quarter of an hour. Skipper and No8 Jack Weston started the scoring with a short range try following a multi-phase Keynsham attack; this was converted by Sam Challenger. Sam then slotted a well struck penalty for a 10-point margin. Almost before the crowd could draw breath, Keynsham strung together another series of high speed attacks culminating in stand-off Joe Davis going in under the posts, Challenger again adding the conversion. 

Chosen then regrouped and had some possession and got the reward of a penalty duly converted to make it 17-3. Any revival hopes were quashed by Keynsham just on the half-hour mark when No6 Haydn Johnson muscled his way over for try number 3, Challenger again adding the extra points. Many of the Keynsham supporters were hoping for the 4th and bonus point, try before half time so that they could relax and enjoy the rest of the game from the confines of the bar. The team had other ideas!

From here onwards Chosen had most of the possession and territorial advantage but Keynsham’s defence held on grimly to the end. Chosen had several opportunities to put more points on the board but declined, going for the corner instead. One wonders what the outcome might have been had they nibbled away at the points difference, but we’ll never know.
Interesting to finish with comments on our defence. It has been the team’s major strong point throughout the season conceding fewer points by far than all other teams. That and the technique in the front five being vital elements consistently. 

Congratulations to all the squad members, coaches Jason & Kevin, not forgetting Will Eke our physio who kept Tim Coghlan going during the season.