Topsham Extended 1st XV run riot in the sun.

That’s right readers, with no fewer than four regular 1st team players from last season and a number of others who have experience 1st XV rugby over the years, we are no longer Topsham 2's. We are the "Extended 1st XV".

This was our first run out as a team this year. We travelled to deepest darkest mid-Devon, with genuine expectation rather than hope for the first time in years.

We arrived somewhat early due to the over eagerness and terrible time management of yours truly. Which gave us a chance to have a cup of tea and a chat in true 2's, sorry extend 1st XV style.

After some fantastic phase play, with which the coaching team would have been ecstatic, it was not long before the pressure told. Steve Ashford making the first of a number of line breaks and backing his deceptive pace to score under the posts. Duly converted by the writer (sorry Ed Powell)

Now this is where I might get things in the wrong order after a couple of sherbets last night, but I will try my best.

As we continued to execute our game plan to perfection, the forwards really started to get the upper hand. In his first outing for Topsham Seniors, Harry Collision made a barn storming run down the flank, walking all over the South Molton wing as he went.

Harry had the foresight (obviously from excellent coaching last year in the colts by Dave Mac and Malcom Bird) to feed Mark Molyneux on his inside, who again fed Barry Farrelly who had picked an excellent support line, Barry pined back his ears to score under the posts (thanks Baz) again the conversion was successful.

Further pressure told, but handling and decision making errors in the Topsham backline saw us butcher a number of certain tries.
However, Molton could not keep holding on, and true enough a kickable penalty was the result of sustained pressure. You guessed it ladies and gents: it was dispatched with aplomb.

A lovely catch and drive saw Chris Ellor score his first of 3. However as expected Molton did rally and only some excellent scramble defence saw us keep them out.

Back come Topsham, through a trade mark barrelling run from veteran centre Tony Davies saw him score on the 15 metre line. Once again converted, much to the surprise of the whole team and bench.

Molton did have one shot at goal but it was pushed wide by former Topsham player Stephan Archer.

Thankfully half time came.

After a calm chat and a breather and we were ready to weather what we were sure would be a very tough half defending against the slope.

However, within minutes we had a lineout deep in the Molton 22, and leaping like a salmon, James Clark, returning after a year’s sabbatical, set up a driving maul.

The maul marched on and was finished off by Chris Ellor for his second.... I think I missed that conversation.

With changes and tiredness, kicking in the game broke up a bit, which played into Sam Wyatt-Haines' lap, who was restored to his more accustomed position of wing and scored a blinder of a try out wide on the right. Although the accuracy on the conversion attempt was good, the distance into the headwind was too much.

Some amazing work saw Nathan Bowley kick, chase, tackle, and rip the ball all on his own...only for Chris Ellor to pick the ball up to trot in for his hattrick. He missed the conversion.

Nathan was rewarded with a try of his own again after some broken play scoring under the posts, this time converted.

And there the match ended with smiles all round.

Great effort by all players but a special mention to Steve Brooke for his management work on the side-lines insuring it was a fantastic squad effort.

Final Score South Molton 0- Topsham 58

Tries
Ellor 3
Farrelly 1
Ashford 1
Davies 1
Bowley 1
Wyatt-Haines1

Cons/Pens
Taylor 5 / 1