Topsham RFC 2^nd XV match report – Sat 20^th Jan v Exeter Saracens 2^nd XV

Topsham 2^nd XV overcame Exeter Saracens 2^nd XV at the Bonfire Field this afternoon, winning 19-12. The match was an extremely hard-fought local derby. Topsham took the lead after 20 minutes when right wing Rob Aubry raced around the Saracens left winger before going in under the posts, allowing number 10 Matt Tilt to slot over a simple conversion. The close contest continued through the first half with Topsham’s forwards perhaps having the upper hand up front whilst Saracens’ young backs looked threatening. Roughly 10 minutes before half time Saracens stole Topsham ball from a ruck in the centre of the field and stormed forward to score near the posts, but the conversion was missed. Only a few minutes later Topsham were awarded a scrum 5 metres out from the Saracens line near the right touchline, where a back row move saw number 8 Matt Edwardson come close to scoring before the ball emerged from the ensuing ruck for winger Rob Aubry to score his and Topsham’s second try. The teams went into half time with Topsham leading 12-5.

The close contest continued throughout the second half. Topsham’s careful substitutions introduced fresh legs, including a welcome comeback for centre Tony Davies. The forward battle continued amid fraying tempers, including the sin-binning of one of the Saracens props for handling the ball on the ground during a scrum. Topsham should have scored their third try when Tony Davies burst through the Saracens line before offloading to forward duo Steve Davies and captain James Clark, who managed to get in each others’ way and let the try-scoring chance go begging. Topsham’s backs found some space and created many attacks down the left side, but their third and ultimately match-winning try came from nowhere when hooker Pete Fitzsimmons picked up a loose ball and showed great pace to out run the Saracens number 10 and score under the posts. Fly half Matt Tilt converted to make the score 19-5 and the match was all but over. With 5 minutes remaining Saracens came back at Topsham, whose defence held firm until a free kick for numbers in the lineout let the Saracens forwards loose in Topsham’s 22 leading to a consolation try for the visitors. After the conversion the referee blew the final whistle with the score at 19-12 to Topsham, a well-deserved victory for the home side. Double try-scorer Rob Aubry was named as Topsham’s man of the match, and the club wishes him well as he takes a break from club rugby for an important operation.