Report courtesy of the Herald Express

St Mary's OBs 29pts, Torquay Athletic 25

TORQUAY'S resources were stretched to breaking point against the Bristol side, yet they were in with a chance of winning until the end of the game.

The day started badly for Torquay when flanker and pack leader Ben Cole reported sick before the team set off.

By half time centres Ben Dommett and Adam Last had both gone off injured - Dommett when he pulled a hamstring yards away from the Old Boys' try line - and the Tics were forced to reshuffle.

Assistant coach Mike McDonald - in charge in the absence of number one Drew Powell - had to put flanker Ryan Chivers and scrum-half Ed Cribb in midfield and hope for the best.

"We had four out before we left - Cole, Matt Jackson, Andy Knight and Ollie Pitts - and with the injuries we picked up it was too much of a test of our resources," said McDonald.

"We were 18-12 up at half time, but St Mary's ground away at us until they got ahead. We didn't help ourselves with some missed tackles that let them in for two soft tries.

"When we got it back to 26-25 with a couple of minutes left, we still had a chance.

"We attacked from the restart, tried to switch the ball to the midfield, which wasn't a great idea as we didn't have a recognised midfield, and gave away possession.

"St Mary's hacked downfield, we gave away a penalty and over it went. Game over."

Back-rower Jon Arnold crossed twice for the Tics, the second time near the end when he rushed off with a tap penalty. Matt Allinson scored the other Torquay try. Richard Wood knocked over two penalties and two conversions, the last from the touchline after Arnold's late score.