Spirited Tops fall just short

Topsham took to the field full of enthusiasm, with many of the players out to prove a point. The whole squad has been criticised for showing a lack of heart and pride in the jersey over the past few weeks, something nobody could accuse the 2nd XV of this week. Everyone who played did themselves proud and a narrow defeat could so easily have been a glorious victory.

Brixham 3’s, who play in the merit table above Tops, started the game well with their fly half kicking them into good field positions, something he did with great effect all afternoon. It was the fishermen who drew first blood with a well worked try which was duly converted. This sparked the home side into action and Tops put some phases of good rugby together. The pack were totally dominant at scrum time shoving the visitors backwards at every opportunity. It was this dominance that led to Topshams first try by Olly Scott. A good drive and steady ball enabled the number 8 to pick up and drive over the line.

Following a dubious yellow card for winger Adam Buckley Brixham made the most of the extra man and scored out wide, again converted. Getting back on the front foot Topsham produced some lovely rugby and had a good chance to score when the span the ball wide. Ian Mason found himself in space before drawing the defender and feeding wide to Jon Elstone who was eventually bundled into touch. This unfortunately was the end of the game for Elstone, who has impressed since joining the club, as he broke his arm in the tackle. Topsham continued to attack and the coaching staff would have been impressed with the side to side rugby and support play that led to Darren Davis scoring.

The ding dong of points scoring continued in the second half, with Brixham bagging a try before Adam Buckley benefited from some hard running and good hand from the backs to score for Tops. Ten minutes later a blind side move from the base of the scrum put Buckley into space once more, he handed off one would be tackler before sprinting to score under the sticks. Robert Busby converted to put Topsham in the lead with 10 minutes on the clock.

With 5 minutes to go Brixham made the most of a lose kick and Topshams tired legs. A return kick was put over the top and the covering defence couldn’t get there in time to stop the score. Topsham never gave up however and continued to battle hard and were fingertips away from a possible try at the death.

Despite the loss the team were able to hold their heads high. The side has aspirations of being in the table above and this game proved that they could certainly compete at the higher level. There were too many sterling performance’s to mention and this week the man of the match award goes to the pack, including replacements, collectively. There’s a week off for the seconds next week before returning to merit table action against Crediton on November 3rd.