Keynsham 21 Chosen Hill FP 24

For both teams this was an important match with Keynsham looking to climb out of the bottom three and Chosen aiming to cement their mid-table place and ensure Western Counties North survival for next season.

Pitch and weather conditions were the best experienced since the turn of the year and right from the kick-off Keynsham signalled their intent to use both the full width of the pitch and the pace of their back three to attack from anywhere.

Chosen, who had several regular players missing due to illness and unavailability had the first opportunity to score after four minutes but Andy King’s penalty goal attempt drifted wide of the posts and eight minutes later they lost flanker Tom Gyde to the sin bin for a technical offence. Keynsham made the most of the extra man and despite what appeared to be a knock-on and then a forward pass their speedy winger finished off a good move to open the scoring with a converted try.

Five minutes later King pulled back three points with a penalty goal but this was immediately cancelled out by a home penalty and a further penalty goal, landed after King became the second Chosen Hill player to be binned, took the Keynsham lead to 13 – 3.

Keynsham then lost their blindside flanker to the bin but Chosen were unable to capitalise and on the stroke of half time the home side stretched their lead to thirteen points with another penalty goal.

The break allowed Chosen the opportunity to re-group and they started the second half showing a distinct improvement in both discipline and performance.

Five minutes into the half and following a great break from centres Matt Elston and Josh Pettifer, full back Ashley Lewis joined the line and crossed for a try converted by King and this signalled the start of a ten minute period of complete dominance for the visitors that included some notable breaks down the right flank from replacement winger Marcus Ballard.

Two minutes later number eight Ian Riddel crossed the line and King’s conversion put his side in front, all be it by a single point, for the first time. Chosen continued to dominate and stand-in hooker Rob Panting who was having a tremendous game both in attack and defence, then charged over for Chosen’s third try with King again adding the conversion.

All of a sudden it looked as though Chosen would run riot but Keynsham had other ideas and an unconverted try with just five minutes remaining brought the score to 24-21 in Chosen’s favour. A frantic final few minutes saw Chosen looking for the bonus point try but in end to end action it was Keynsham who went closest to scoring only to be denied by a fine cover tackle from Panting and a foot in touch signalled by their own touch judge when it looked certain they would score. Next week Chosen entertain Matson at Brookfield Road with a 2.30 kick-off.