Report courtesy of the Herald Express

LAST-GASP DEFEAT FOR TORQUAY

BARTON HILL 29, TORQUAY ATH 27
SOUTH WEST TWO

Torquay coach Drew Powell let his frustrations show after this last-gasp defeat in Bristol.With virtually the last kick of the game, Barts snatched victory with a penalty knocked over from close to the halfway line.

Torquay had done well to get back into the match twice having been 14-3 and 26-21 behind, especially as they had a much-changed side due to availability issues.

Barts had nothing to play for - they are resigned to finishing in the bottom two - but their never-say-die attitude was something Torquay can learn from.

"If there had been something on the game for us, I feel sure we would have gone on to win it," said Powell.

"We were pretty close to winning and the penalty that won it for them was a bit of a freak.

"It's no use saying it didn't matter that we lost because we aren't going anywhere this season.

"It's the sides that go out looking to win every game, whether there is something on it or not, who are the successful ones."

Having fallen 14-3 behind, Matt Jackson landing a penalty, tries by Tom Havill and Ryan Chivers got Torquay back in contention.

Barts tried to pull away again, but Torquay wouldn't let them and stayed close thanks to a second Havill try and a couple of Jackson kicks.

That looked like being enough until Ben Cole was penalised late on and Barts landed the winning penalty.