Report courtesy of the Herald Express

Torquay Ath 21
Taunton 14
South West Two
TORQUAY Athletic had their work cut out to hold on for this win over another side tipped for the top in South West Two West this season.
Like two heavyweights slugging it out toe-to-toe, Torquay and Taunton battered away at each other for the full 80 minutes with little quarter asked or given.
Torquay went ahead for the last time in the game in the final quarter, but getting there and staying there were two different issues!
Taunton threw everything they had at Torquay, whose defences were tested to the full.
“Our back row of Ben Cole, Tom Havill and Jon Arnold were absolutely outstanding,” said director of rugby Colin Rylance.
“Taunton kept going right to the end and we had to defend as if our lives depended on it to keep them out.
“It was at that time that our fitness really showed, which is a credit to all the players in the team. Less well-prepared sides would have crumbled.
“Compared to the way we played at Newton Abbot last Saturday, we were in a different league.
“Crucially, especially in the second half, we gave away far fewer penalties. I think it was only two in the whole second half.
“We were all a bit down after the Newton Abbot defeat, but this win has given everyone a lift as we played so well against a strong team containing lots of quality players.”
Torquay finally took the wraps off new signing Matt Williams against Taunton and he scored what amounted to the winning try in the second half.
Rylance has been deliberately vague about Williams’ track record up to now for fear of giving away too much to rival sides. Now the cat his out of the bag.
“Matt played for Wales at U21 level and has been a professional rugby player with Cardiff and Pontypool before moving down here,” said Rylance.
“I didn’t want to say too much about him as I didn’t want Taunton singling him out for special treatment.”
Taunton led 14-13 at the break with all their tries coming from stand-off John Martin, who scored a try and landed three penalties. Torquay replied with Matt Jackson kicking two penalties and converting a try by Adam Last.
Jackson kicked Torquay ahead with his third penalty while Martin missed one at the other end.
A 16-14 lead wasn’t enough and Torquay were glad of a debut try by Williams on the end of a touchline run for making the game safe.