CHOSEN HILL FP 6 KEYNSHAM 10

This was a match of huge importance to both teams as they looked to move up the table and after their recent good performances and three consecutive home wins, Chosen were looking to make it four out of four but they got off to the worse possible start as directly from the kick-off Keynsham fielded the ball cleanly and set off up field. Slick handling and a couple of missed tackles from Chosen allowed them to progress into the home twenty–two and a well timed pass put the Keynsham winger over for a converted try after just forty five seconds.

Chosen re-grouped and began to put a few phases together but the visitors were looking very dangerous as they moved the ball around between forwards and backs with pace and flair and the Chosen defence was at full stretch for most of the opening fifteen minutes.

For Chosen, full back Adam Claridge was making his first start of the season but it was Ashley Lewis, his predecessor in that position who, now playing on the wing, was Chosen’s biggest threat and after one of his trade-mark breaks Lewis took play into the visitors twenty-two. Keynsham conceded a penalty and Lewis banged over the goal to reduce the deficit to four points.

Chosen then lost centre Josh Pettifer with a leg injury and this signalled the return to action of former skipper Andy King who came on as replacement to join younger brother Mike in the centre. King’s last match had been way back in March 2011 when he suffered a serious knee injury and after a cautious few minutes he was soon back to his form of old with some deft line kicking and a couple of mighty tackles.

A penalty goal from Keynsham on thirty five minutes completed the first half scoring and made the score 10 – 3 in their favour.

Within ten minutes of the re-start Lewis landed his second penalty goal to narrow the gap to just four points and Chosen were now looking more dangerous although Keynsham were always a threat on the counter attack.

With twenty minutes remaining Chosen were awarded a penalty near the visitors twenty two. King took a quick tap and fed Claridge who went over near the posts but the referee called them back for not taking the kick through the mark and Lewis missed the goal kick. Although Chosen tried desperately to grab the winning score the Keynsham defence held firm and Chosen’s only consolation was a losing bonus point.

Next week Chosen make the short trip to Matson for another league match