Topsham 2's win local Derby

In a very impressive start to the season Topsham 2nd XV have made it 2 wins from 2.

It has been nearly a week since the game (apologies for the late report) so the details may be a little disjointed and blurred.

So Topsham started the game receiving the ball and playing with a stiff breeze.

The first 5 or so minuets were somewhat hectic as Topsham’s back row almost found it too easy to punch holes and find gaps.

When we settled down and played our game plan we started to put some real pressure on Withy.

It was not long before Withy had a defensive lineout on their own 5 meter line.

Great pressure from Josh Collins and quick reactions saw Harry Collison score our first try. The conversion was successful.

More pressure told and a kickable penalty was the result. Which was dispatched with ease.

Some excellent phase play saw a walk in Try for Samuel Miller on his home debut. Again the kick was successful.

Edward Smale was having a field day at 15 (despite his protests that he wants to play 9) and had been making huge yardage when returning the ball from deep.

One of his mazy runs saw him score out wide on the Left. The conversion was pulled wide left.

As predicted back came Withy, and some very poor "tackling" from yours, truly saw their hard running centre score under the posts.

Half time and it was 22-7

No playing into the wind it was a completely different game.

No more long exit kicks from the 22 to the 5 metre line (forgot to mention that in the first half). We had to play everything.

Withy used the wind to great effect and put real pressure on us all half and never gave up.

Again some great phase play saw Ed Smale and Samuel Miller both score walk in trys again. 1 converted one not.

Some stout defence and big hits saw us keep Withy out and there it finished.

Full Time 22-7

Trys:
Miller 2
Smale 2
Collison 1

Cons:
Taylor 2
Smale 1

Pens:
Taylor 1