Report courtesy of the Herald Express

TORQUAY Athletic’s playing director Colin Rylance was pleased as punch with his side’s showing away to Dings Crusaders in the EDF National Trophy, even though they lost 21-5.
Any disappointment at bowing out of the competition so early would have been tempered by the consolation prize of around £4,000 just for qualifying.
But it wasn’t only the money Rylance was pleased about, but the way the Tics stood up to a National Three side two divisions above them on the league ladder.
“Dings were combative, competitive and everything we expected of a National League side, yet we more than gave them a game,” said Rylance.
“Because they play at a higher level week in and week out, their reaction times to everything were a bit quicker than ours.
“Winning good ruck ball quickly was hard for us and that limited our chances.
“But we probably had the best of it in the line-outs and were 50-50 in the scrums, which I would settle for.
“And we kept Dings to just two tries until right at the end when they scored a third.”
Next up for Torquay is the eagerly awaited showdown with arch rivals Brixham, who beat the Tics once last season and were awarded the points for a drawn game when it emerged Torquay had inadvertently broken the rules regarding replacements.
“Our attitude for this game was first rate and the performance matched the attitude,” said Rylance.
“”Let’s hope we can take all the good things from this game into the Brixham match.”
Torquay’s only try against Dings was scored by prop Russ Morris on his full debut for the 1st XV.
Morris and fellow prop Steve Smith pushed Andy Knight hard for the Man of the Match award, in Rylance’s eyes.
Another player who impressed was Ollie Pitts, who was forced to step in at scrum-half when the Tics learned they were without a recognised number nine.
Scott Rylance is still getting over a chest injury, although he could be in the frame for a recall against Brixham depending how training goes this week.
Dan Taylor had family commitments and Ed Cribb was ushering at a wedding, which prevented both of them playing.
Taylor and Cribb will be in contention for the Brixham game, as will Jon Arnold, James Boyce, Nick Gill and Matt Williams, who were all unavailable against Dings.
The problem facing coach Drew Powell and the selectors is going to be who to leave out. Tonight’s selection meeting after training could drag on a bit.