Torquay Colts 13 vs. Truro Colts 5
Torquay Colts 13 vs. Truro Colts 5
Torquay have battled their way through to the last 16 of the National Colts Cup Competition having beaten Truro .
As the result suggests this was a tight and fairly even game played at a good pace with both teams having chances to score. Torquay came out on top due to a dogged determination in defence which gave Truro no time on the ball and taking two opportunities created by Tom Harris.
The first half was a fairly evenly contested with Torquay having an opportunity to score first with a penalty on 17 mins, unfortunately the ball toppled over as Aaron Graham was about to strike and the kick failed. Most of the first half was played in mid field with Truro trying to attack but Torquay's defence was relent less. Truro had their chance to take the lead on 17 mins through a penalty but this also went wide of the post.
It was not until the last ten mins of the first half that opportunities were taken. First Torquay were awarded a penalty after continued forward pressure which allowed Aaron Graham to slot the ball between the posts on 29 mins. This was followed from the restart by a brilliant piece of individual skill from Tom Harris, who received the ball in his own 22 and managed to wrong foot three attacking Truro players and break out toward the half way line. With only the fullback to beat he drew him in and off loaded to supporting players. The ball went through a further two set of hands before winger Aaron Graham managed to sprint from the Truro 22 in for a try. No Conversion.
Truro came straight back at Torquay and put Torquay's defence to the test again. Truro were awarded a penalty on the Tics 22 but the decision was reversed after a Truro player was penalised and sin binned for stamping. This was on 35 mins.
The second half continued in much the same manor with not much between the two sides, but as much as Truro tried to attack the Torquay defence, in particular the back row, didn't give them any time on the ball.
Torquay were under pressure after 15 mins when Chris Slack was sin binned for being offside at a ruck, which put pressure on the forwards for the next ten minutes. The pressure was relieved after 25 mins when Jo Ward put a high kick up from the base of a scrum just inside the Torquay half which bounced awkwardly for the Truro full back, who up to that point had played very well under the high ball. This allowed the chasing Tom Harris to pick the ball from his ankles and race in from the 22 to score. No Conversion.
This gave the supporting Torquay crowd a short moment of relief but Truro came straight back at Torquay and within five minutes their strong pack of forwards had played their way up the park to score a try. No conversion.
The next 10 nims were frantic with both teams determined to win the game. Truro came at Torquay with everything they had but again the Torquay defence held strong and managed to hold things together until the end, despite losing Josh Heath to the sin bin on 34 mins.
Torquay overall deserved their win and look forward to the next draw.
Paul Walsh - Torquay Colts
Report courtesy of the
Herald Express
TICS
INTO LAST 16 OF NATIONAL CUP
11:00
- 24 January 2008
Torquay Colts are through to the last 16 of the
National Colts Cup, and a date with Cambridgeshire
side Shelford, following a 13-5 win over Truro. As
the result suggests it was a tight and even game
against Truro, played at a good pace with both teams
having chances to score.Torquay came out on top due
to a dogged determination in defence, that gave Truro
no time on the ball, and taking two opportunities
created by Tom Harris. The first half was a evenly
contested with Torquay having an opportunity to score
first with a penalty on 17 minutes. Unfortunately,
the ball toppled over as Aaron Graham was about to
strike and the kick failed.
Most of the first half was played in midfield with
Truro trying to attack but Torquay's defence was
relentless.
Ten minutes before half time Torquay were awarded a
penalty and Graham slotted the ball between the
posts.
This was followed from the restart by a brilliant
piece of individual skill by Harris, who received the
ball in his own 22 and managed to wrong foot three
attacking Truro players and break out toward the half
way line.
With only the Truro full-back to beat, Harris drew
him in and off loaded to supporting players. The ball
went through a further two set of hands before Graham
sprinted in from the 22.
Right on half time Truro had a player sin-binned for
stamping.
The second half continued in similar fashion with
little between the two sides.
Torquay were put under pressure in the forwards after
15 minutes when Chris Slack was sin-binned for being
offside at a ruck.
The pressure was relieved after 25 minutes when Joe
Ward put a high kick up from the base of a scrum that
bounced awkwardly for the Truro full-back. The
chasing Harris scooped up the ball and ran in for a
try.
Truro roared straight back at Torquay and within five
minutes their strong pack of forwards had played
their way up the park to score a try.
The final 10 minute were frantic with both teams
determined to win the game.
Truro went at Torquay with everything they had, but
the Tics defence held out despite losing Josh Heath
to the sin bin with a minute to go.
Shelford, who beat Gravesend 7-5 to reach round five,
are part of a London One club. No date has been fixed
for the game, although Torquay will have home
advantage for it. The deadline date for playing the
game is February 24.