Kingswood met Dale on Saturday 31 May in a hotly contested derby fixture. Despite the final score of 40-23 to Dale, the majority of the game was closely contested, with both sides creating multiple opportunities to score.
Kingswood met Dale on Saturday 31 May in a hotly contested derby fixture. Despite the final score of 40-23 to Dale, the majority of the game was closely contested, with both sides creating multiple opportunities to score.
Kingswood were unable to gain any momentum in the first half after a number of injury changes.
Dale opened the scoring when their fly half sliced through the midfield to set up a try out wide. Kingswood were awarded a series of penalties, but Cameron Hertz was unable to convert any of the kicks.
Dale struck again midway through the half, when poor tackling allowed their fly half space through the middle again. Kingswood were able to pull back a penalty by Hertz to close out the half 12-3 down.
The second half was completely different to the first, with both sides finding a better level of continuity, and consequently producing some great rugby. Kingswood drew first blood in the second half when Michael Braans stepped inside and cleverly drew the full back before offloading to Cameron Hertz who went over close to the poles.
Kingswood began exerting pressure on Dale and this turned into a converted penalty as Kingswood narrowed the gap to 11-12. Dale scored after Kingswood were penalised, only for Kingswood to reply with a try by Ezra Mager. Dale followed this with a further two tries.
Fred Burchell strolled over for his sides third try with the score 33-23 to Dale. Dale sealed the game in the final seconds with a final try, as Kingswood lost 23-40.
