MATCH REPORT – SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2011-11-13 DEVONPORT SERVICES 28 V TORQUAY ATHLETIC 7
Torquay Athletic’s worst performance of the season led to the team being soundly beaten by a mid table Devonport Services outfit which had previously won only 3 out of 9 matches. From 1 – 15 the home side were superior for large periods of the game with their back row generally dominating the breakdown areas and half backs prompting intelligently.
After 7 minutes the visitors tried to run back a kick ahead but lost possession on half way from where left wing Ben Wadham switched to the right and was allowed to run 45 metres to touch down beneath the posts, a try converted by Matt Anstis for a 7 – 0 lead.
On 19 minutes Tics were pinged at a ruck and then marched back 10 metres for
back chat from where Services kicked for position and after several attacking phases brought them closer to the line hooker Phil Wilson cut through to score. Anstis added the extras for 14 – 0.
Following a long searching break through the middle by skipper James Wood prop Russ Morris was tap tackled a few metres short. From this position and for the first time in the match Tics exerted concerted territorial pressure until flanker Alex Smith burrowed over for Wood to convert – 14 –7.
However Tics dropped the following kick off and immediately went offside resulting in Anstis reinstating the 14 point margin by kicking the penalty. Half time 17 – 7. By this time Torquay had lost forwards Jon Arnold and Simon Mabin to injury.
Shortly after the restart Torquay offended at a ruck in front of the posts and Anstis extended the lead to put Services in the driving seat at 20 – 7. Tics then found themselves on the wrong end of referring decisions and the penalty count continued to rise with Anstis slotting another on 57 minutes to go 23 – 7. Ball carrying lock Brian Ncube kept Torquay on the defensive and Services final score came after a line out deep in the visitors territory when prop Niall Stokes touched down to make the result 28 – 7.
Services had watched an encouraging Tics performance in the Devon Cup the week before at Ivybridge and deserve credit for quickly formulating a game plan to win this encounter. The Tics must themselves swiftly take on board the various lessons of this set back before their next home game versus Truro.
Torquay Athletic Team:
15 – Tony McCarthy, 14 – Adam Chadwick, 13 Ollie Pitts, 12 – Matt Lloyd,
11 – Andy Gormley, 10 – James Wood, 9 – Alex Jeffery.
1 – Jon Oliver, 2 – Carl Turner, 3 – Russ Morris, 4 – Jon Arnold, 5 – Dave Carpenter, 6 – Alex Smith, 7 – Simon Mabin, 8 Dan Williams.
Replacements (all used); Ollie Hill, Nick Gill, Richard Read.
Other results:
Merit Table 1: Torquay Athletic Extra Firsts 25 V Devonport Services II’s 17 Teignmouth Colts 17 V Torquay Athletic Colts 12.
