Salcombe 29 Topsham 13

Another disappointing result on the back of a poor team performance means there is a lot of work to do before next week’s important first league game. Indecision, poor reaction and sloppy defence meant that by half time we were struggling to keep in touch. We were under pressure form the outset as we were unable to clear our lines on several and eventually Salcombe kicked a penalty. We fell further behind when from a close range lineout we failed to defend and from a front peel they scored wide out. We got back in to the game but could not finish any moves off. We eventually had a penalty but unfortunately failed to convert it. Salcombe got a second try when from a penalty they tapped and ran and their second row went through from 20 metres. We finally got on the score sheet when George York kicked a penalty. Half time score was Salcombe 15 Topsham 3.

The second half was an improvement but we were still making too many mistakes in attack and defence. We were having good periods of possession and territory but mistakes would let us down. Unfortunately, from a failed Salcombe attack we tried to clear and the kick was charged down from which they scored. After this we probably had our best spell of the match and from a few minutes of pressure we scored a good try moving the ball wide for Mitchell Ocholla to score. The conversion was close but failed. We were now really in the game and it felt that we could still get a result. However, we just could not make the final pass or drive to score. As the match was nearing the end we had a lineout 15 metres out and from an excellent catch and drive Charlie Lenygon, on his debut, scored. With only a couple of minutes on the clock a drop goal conversion was attempted, as time was running down, without success.  Unfortunately, from the kick off we failed to secure possession and from a lineout they attacked and although held up scored when we tried to escape from our in-goal area in an attempt to get another score.

 Final score – Salcombe 29 Topsham 13

Man of the match – Charlie Lenygon