Torquay paid the price for an error-strewn first half in which Exmouth efficiently put away every half chance given them. Torquay hardly had the ball in the first quarter hour and started to give away a number of needless penalties. Exmouth dominated the half and went in at half time 32-8 up, all Torquay had to offer was an excellent team try finished off by Jimmy Beardsmore and a penalty by Glen Channing. There was a genuine fear at half time that the home team might rattle up a cricket score. However, the Tics showed a great deal of grit and character in the next half hour. Tries by Chris Hallett and Adam Last with backs and forwards combining well put the away side back in the game. Moving into the final quarter another penalty and a debut try for the excellent Tom Havill put the scores at 35-30 and an amazing comeback looked on the cards. Unfortunately, the Cockles went straight to the other end and scored a fine drop goal to put Torquay two scores away. As the Tics threw caution to the wind in trying to find an unlikely victory, the Cockles scored a final, well constructed try down the blind side.Whilst Torquay were disappointed with decisions that went against them in the build-up to two of the first half tries, the Tics can only have themselves to blame for the half time position. They were very slow to start and committed far too many errors against a side who made very few mistakes and had players in important positions at the top of their game. However, the players must take a great deal of credit for the impressive second half performance that very nearly produced an incredible comeback.
Your Alive Alive Oh Correspondent