Events/News

The first match of the season is always an occasion for teams to generate an understanding of each other as well as act as a barometer of how effective preseason training has been. In this case for Salcombe it proved to have a valuable programme where the hard work put in transposed itself onto the field of play. Unfortunately, fans of hard ground running rugby were left disappointed as the heavens opened at the start of the game creating tricky handling and footing conditions for both teams who had both come with the ambition to play regardless.

Salcombe started the game on the front foot, and it wasn’t long before a flowing backs move put Willmott in to score only for the aforementioned slippery ground to butcher a glorious chance with the try line beckoning. Undeterred, the crabs kept battering away against the solid defence in the Kingsbridge 22 until they were duly rewarded with a close-range effort from Jay Hannaford to settle some early nerves from the visitors. More of the same continued with Salcombe attempting to unlock a resolute defence who tackled hard and scrummed even harder. Eventually the barrier was broken once again, this time from a kick return and finishing with an outrageous dummy from Dan Sinnott before sliding over in the corner.

The halftime focus was for greater accuracy and not to panic in possession, reiterating that slower ball was better than inaccurate passes. Despite the inclement weather remaining there was still an aspiration to play with width and ambition, while ensuring that the already unacceptable penalty count was kept to a minimum.

Kingsbridge started the second half with a lengthy spell of possession testing the Salcombe defence for the first time in the game. When possession was won back clever kicking from Clarke and Anderton pinned Kingsbridge back in their own half forcing them to constantly run from deep. That pressure eventually told with Salcombe winning a penalty in the 22, kicking for the corner and Toby Woods going over from the subsequent rolling maul. Salcombe continued to cough up penalties however a dominant line out managed to bail them out of the harm their discipline was causing them to maintain pressure on Kingsbridge. With options limited a kick was caught by veteran Schalk Herselman followed by a delicious offload to Anderton to breeze over unopposed from 50m.

With the defence tiring and Salcombe in the ascendancy, spreading the play well across the pitch, it was only a matter of time before slick handling and fast ball put Toby Woods through to help himself to his second of the afternoon. With the game won and tired bodies all over the pitch, there was time at in the last play of the game for Kingsbridge to grab a deserved consolation try.

Notable performances were from man of the match Jordan Anderton who dictated the play from start to finish, Jonathan Hawtin, Mark Lidstone, Mark Parnowski and Schalk Herselman rolling back the years to provide impetus and impact both from the bench and on the wing. A big thanks to Kingsbridge RFC for hosting us. Focus now turns to Ivybridge II on Saturday 14 Sep.

By George Willmott