Club News Archive (2013)...

Salcombe won this game in part due to the reliable boot of Chris Drew who kicked two magnificent wide out conversions judged to perfection in the gale blowing at Twomeads on Saturday. Prior to that he gave Old Techs a second half masterclass in kicking for territory with the wind behind you without the ball going dead, a feat that rather eluded the visitors kickers in the first half.

But this was a close run thing with victory only secured in the last 3 minutes of the game. Salcombe started well playing into the wind but Old Techs ran the ball shrewdly and when their kicks didn’t go dead, they set up good field position and were able to kick a penalty. Soon after a defensive mistake by the Crabs let the visitors’ centre in for a try under the posts and Salcombe were 10-0 down.

And so it remained for the rest of the first half enabling the Crabs to turn round with not too big a hill to climb in the second period as conventional wisdom was that the visitors needed a 20 point cushion to see them home as they now faced the steadily increasing wind.
However Old Techs had clearly not read the script pressurising Salcombe hard for the next 20 minutes and scoring another penalty in the process to leave Salcombe 13-0 down going into the last quarter. A Drew kick ahead was fumbled giving Salcombe the put in at the scrum and with a blind side move called, Lee Clarke whipped the ball to Drew who fed Rupert Bevan stationed on the wing for this move. Bevan shrugged off several tackles for the try wide out and Drew put over the first of his conversions to bring the score to 13-7 to the visitors.
With the Salcombe forwards now well on top and shoving their heavier opponents all over the place in both the tight and the loose, another score looked to be on at any time so long as the Crabs maintained their cool.

However a Salcombe knock on close to the Old Techs line gave them the scrum with time running out. Captain Stuart Winzer called for a supreme effort from his men who answered with hooker James Turner taking the ball against the head and the whole scrum heaving the visitors the ten yards or so back over their line for flanker James Cooper to claim the touchdown. Another amazing Drew conversion put the Crabs 14-13 up and in the dying couple of minutes of the game Salcombe came close to scoring again.

In the end Salcombe deserved this win due to the strength of the forwards who dominated proceedings in the second half. Scott Lowry deservedly got the man of the match award for his tireless work at second row although it could have gone to Richard Winzer who had a fine game on the wing, Drew for his intelligent generaling of the backs and his kicking, Bevan for his fierce tackling or even to Oli Masters for his coolness under fire in the unaccustomed fullback spot.

Next week Salcombe have another home game versus Plympton Victoria in the Devon Vase ko 2pm,entrance free, before the Boxing Day encounter with Kingsbridge, this year at High House ko 2.30.

Salcombe lost this game in the first 5 minutes when they conceded two tries, one converted, to put them on the back foot right from the outset. New Cross weren’t playing brilliantly, they merely moved the ball efficiently and the Crabs did not respond with sufficient urgency.
A Salcombe clearance kick was charged down on the 22, the cover did not get over fast enough and their winger scored in the corner, 0-5. Two minutes later the Crabs lost possession in the middle and with all their forwards stranded to one side, allowed the visitors to have a 3 man overlap to score under the posts for 0-12.

The next ten minutes remained pretty torrid for Salcombe as New Cross camped on the home 5 yard line and crossed over 3 times only for each one to have been held up by some now effective and desperate Salcombe defence. Gradually the pressure eased and although Salcombe were rarely out of their own half, the visitors looked less likely to score again, apart from a fortuitous kick ahead which the New Cross winger failed to gather with the line at his mercy.

Turning round 0-12 down at half time Salcombe began to look more threatening in attack enabling Rupert Bevan on the wing to have a couple of great runs into the visitors 22. But their defence held out and against the run of play New Cross increased their lead with a penalty to take Salcombe into the position of needing 3 scores to win.

From a penalty Salcombe won the resulting line out about 10 yards from the visitors line, organised a superb drive resulting in second row James Palmer getting the try. Chris Drew put over the touchline conversion to bring up a score of 7-15 to which New Cross responded with a well worked try of their own to move the score on to 7-22.

The Crabs came back again with another good forward drive in the dying minutes of the game when hooker James Turner got the touchdown wide out. Drew was unlucky to see his kick hit the upright and the match finished with Salcombe 12-22 down.

In effect Salcombe lost the first 5 minutes 0-12 and then won the remaining 75 minutes 12-10 which makes the defeat more difficult to understand. Something needs to be done to get Salcombe firing from the first minute as this is a constant problem. At the moment the warm up alone isn’t doing it.

Following the 1st XV game, the U13s challenged the 2nd XV to a tag match.

Salcombe were unlucky to lose this match which served as both a League and Devon Junior Cup match. Conceding a soft try and a couple of kicks going agonisingly close was the difference between victory and a defeat that still leaves the Crabs in mid table but with the following pack uncomfortably close.

The Crabs started slowly, a habit they need to change, and found it difficult to lay their hands on the ball at first. Wessex capitalising on this quickly set up good field position and 10 minutes in were rewarded with a well worked backs try initiated by their mercurial no10 who ghosted through a gap in the Salcombe defence to put in the try.

Salcombe responded very quickly when clean lineout possession and drive from the forwards delivered quick ball to the backs for Oli Masters at centre to make the vital break. With winger Rupert Bevan in support Masters made ground before passing to Bevan who then used his pace to outflank the cover and touch down in the corner. The kick narrowly failed so the score stayed at 7-5 to the home side.

The game was now more even but the heavy home pack were making life difficult for Salcombe in the close encounters. Following a well drilled rolling maul they went over for a try which they failed to convert leaving the score at 12-5 where it remained to half time.

Early in the second half the ball squirted awkwardly out of the side of the set scrum allowing the Wessex no6 to pick it up and race in for the try before Salcombe could react. The kick failed and with the score now at 17-5 to Wessex it looked like being a long afternoon for Salcombe.
Lee Clarke just failed with a penalty but a few minutes later Wessex under some pressure kicked out of defence. Mike Thurlow who had come on at half time on the wing caught the ball and set off at speed down the wing beating a number of would be defenders before offloading to Masters who touched down. The kick again failed but at 10-17 Salcombe were firmly in charge.

Salcombe then made their own luck when Wessex made a mess of their own lineout and with the ball on the ground the excellent Richard Gregson got a foot to it to kick it over the try line for his fellow flanker James Cooper to outspeed the defence and touch down in the corner. Again the kick failed and Salcombe were left with 15 minutes to get the winning score.

But it was not to be and although the Crabs came close several times the home defence remained firm. Despite the result this was a good performance by Salcombe who need to concentrate on coming off their blocks at speed from the kick off rather than let the opposition build up a score and then have to play catch up.

This Saturday Salcombe will put out a Club XV against OPM 2s at home ko 2.30 pm before a home league match the following Saturday, 23 November against New Cross again kicking off at 2.30.

Salcombe kick started their slow start to the season with a bonus point victory over the Plymouth side. Playing into a strong wind the crabs started well and were making good attacks off second and third phase ball. Salcombe scored early into the game when scrum half Luke Williamson sniped his way over the line after a period of sustained forward pressure. Flankers Richard Gregson and James Cooper made several crucial turnovers at the breakdowns allowing the Crabs to clear their lines.

With the score at 5-0 the visitors soon had chances to level as they had four penalty attempts at goal for various Salcombe offences. Fortunately for Salcombe, the visitors kicker only converted one of the chances and they trailed 5-3 at the interval.

Into the second half and the gale force wind to their backs Salcombe immediately played rugby inside St Columba's half. Second row Scott Lowry made a fine break in midfield and after a period of pressure it was his fellow second row Sean Baker who crashed over from 5 yards. Sensing the game was there for the taking Salcombe immediately started to build pressure inside the opponents 22. A fine scrum saw captain and number eight Stuart Winzer pick up and feed Gregson who unselfishly passed to scrum half Lewis Winzer to dive over in the corner. Both tricky conversions were missed but Lee Clarke did extend the home sides lead with a penalty after sixty minutes.

There was a half hour delay to the game when the St Columba fly half broke his ankle whilst being tackled. During this delay Salcombe kept focused and targeted getting the final score to secure a bonus point. The try did come with a couple of minutes on the clock left when winger Luke Pepperell tackled his opposite man and forced a turn over. Centre James Palmer was on hand to scoop up the dropped ball and beat his man to score in the corner securing the Crabs the vital bonus point. Overall a really positive performance and a great result moves the Crabs to mid table.

There is no game next Saturday but the team will be having a training session at the club at one o'clock and then be sitting down to watch England vs Australia.

A couple of interceptions proved the crucial difference in a friendly fixture between Salcombe and Dartmouth.

For once, the crabs started the game strongly and it soon became apparent that the pack were right up for the game. The front row of Jim Winzer, James Turner and Nick Trant gave Salcombe a scrum platform in which to launch attacks from. The backs showed early pressure and came close to scoring when full back Lee Clarke entered the line. After a period of pressure on the Dartmouth Line, Salcombe's forwards caused a turnover and it was Captain Stuart Winzer who got the touchdown. The conversion didn't stand a chance in the strong wind. Both teams showed attacking intent for the remainder of the half but the defences came out on top. Flankers Ian Smerdon and James Cooper competing fiercely at breakdowns prevented Dartmouth from winning clean ball.

The second half continued at the same pace as both teams tried to find the breakthrough. The attacks from Salcombe's three quarters stumbled as the ball from the breakdowns slowed down. Dartmouth were able to convert some territory into points and took the lead for the first time in the game with a score under the posts. They quickly extended their league when they intercepted a ball deep inside their half. The scrambled defence pulled them down but after a few phases a try was scored wide out. Leading from the front Salcombe's superior pack used their power to set up good field position in the home sides 22. The backs fed the ball to Winger Richard Winzer who took the ball on at speed to score in the corner. Lee Clarke hit a superb conversion from the touchline to level the game.

With tails up Salcombe went looking for the killer blow and were soon camped inside the 22. They let a couple of try chances begging when knock ons and people over running simple overlaps went begging. Off one of the final attacks, fly half Chris Drew sent a pass out wide that was well read by the opposition centre who intercepted and raced clear. He fed the full back who went under the posts to score the winning score.

Although disappointed with the result, the Crabs can take positives forward into the crucial league game vs St. Columba this weekend. Kick off at 3pm, Twomeads.

Game #1

Salcombe 5 Brixham 4

Salcombe started their season, playing against a strong Brixham side.
Salcombe, with 2 strong displays first started with some good running from the Crabs with Jack (guesting for the Crabs) racing in at the corner.
Henry T. and Sam showed the opposition how to run with the ball and allowed Jack to race in with his second.
This was closely followed by Daniel scoring the third try and Ash shot across the line with Salcombe's 4th and Mikolaj to complete the score with the 5th try of the game.

Game 2

Salcombe 3 Brixham 1

After the first game Salcombe showed much more hunger for the ball.
Salcombe started the scoring with a try from Daniel.
Some aggressive running from "Man of the Match" Henry T. saw Sam score try number 2.
Luke's defense was heroic and proved too much for the Fishermen and a zig-zagging run across the field by Henry Y. saw the Crabs seal a victory on a very fine morning at Twomeads.

Salcombe haven't had much away success at Totnes for a few years and the search for a win there continues. It wasn't an impossible task and at times the Crabs rattled the home side, often looking more dangerous with the ball. But in the end a couple of defensive lapses gifted the home side some cheap scores.

The game started in the worst possible way with Totnes taking the lead inside two minutes when Salcombe failed to clear a ball inside their 22. From the resultant ruck the Totnes Centre charged down his opposite numbers attempted clearance kick to score out wide. Salcombe went straight down the field and Rupert Bevan's kick off chase ended in a big tackle gifting Salcombe attacking ball. The pressure from Salcombe told and they were awarded a penalty that Fly Half Chris Drew just put wide. Midway through the half, Salcombe were reduced to fourteen players as second row Sean Baker was sin binned.

Totnes missed a couple of penalties but soon crossed the try line through their powerful scrum half sniping off a ruck. At 10-0 down at half time there was still plenty of optimism that the Crabs could pull the score back. The line out was functioning well and the backs were having success each time they had the ball. However, losing possession in contact and throwing loose passes came back to haunt them several times. With the next score crucial, Totnes's powerful centre broke a tackle in midfield and raced clear. He found support and they forced a score in the corner after beating the last man.

At 15-0 the crabs immediately hit back. Drew's switch kick off was excellently caught by Mikey Thurlow who fed captain Stuart Winzer. Winzer drew the defence and sent Oli Masters racing down the touchline. With the try line at arms length Masters was high tackled by the last defender. Bemusingly no penalty try or a yellow card was given when the try was a certainty. It wasn't long before Salcombe turned pressure into points after a series of powerful drives when Ian Smerdon crashed over from close range wide out. Drew added the extras.

Totnes responded with a seven pointer of their own again exposing gaps in midfield. Oli Masters did get his score in the end after he finished off a slick backs handling move to score wide out. The extras were missed but the game was still on. Totnes had the final score though when a hopeful high kick was cleanly regathered and raced under the posts. Whilst disappointed with the first half showing, Salcombe can be upbeat with how they took on the League leaders and aspects of play in the second half.

Salcombe's man of the match was flanker James Palmer who broke holes in the opposition defence every. Time he carried the ball.

This Saturday sees Salcombe travel to Dartmouth for a friendly.

This was a great match and just what the Crabs needed before resuming their league programme against Totnes away next week. Newton 2s are an excellent outfit who are unbeaten this season, have recorded big wins against class opposition and are full of young fit lads looking to play Level 5 rugby with their 1s. They had conceded only one try all season so far and having four scored against them by Salcombe came as a bit of a surprise. Indeed their coach was delighted to see his team have a real test and in appreciation of the Crabs’ performance the Newton club looked after the Salcombe boys handsomely in the bar after the game.

The home side started off at a pace and rattled up 3 tries and 19 points in the first 20 minutes before Salcombe realised that the best point of attack was via their heavier scrum. A burst up the middle ended up in a scrum about 10 yards out which, under direction from Luke Cole having an authoritative game at scrum half, Salcombe trundled forward for a pushover try eventually touched down by flanker Richard Gregson. The difficult kick failed.

Salcombe conceded two more unconverted tries before half time to bring up a score of 29-5 to Newton at the break. Salcombe now started to play with greater confidence and good handling in the backs and some neat inter-passing took play close to the Newton line. Another scrum trundled the home pack over their own line and this time Cole finished off the move himself for the touch down. Lee Clarke put over a good conversion from wide out.

Newton replied with another try to make the score 36-12 to them but a sizzling backs move with centre Rupert Bevan beating four men up the middle allowed the ball to come to Luke Pepperell on the wing who dived over in the corner. Clarke only narrowly missed the conversion before Newton got yet another try to bring the score to 41-17.

Salcombe then replied with yet another trademark push at the scrum close to the Newton line and were in the process of going over when the home side kicked the ball out of the scrum. The ref had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which Clarke converted to bring up the final score.

Salcombe played well throughout with the backs putting together some smooth moves of their own once they had adjusted to the pace of the Newton outsides. The pack was superb with the back row gaining some important turnovers and clearly on top in the set where recent work on the scrum machine paid dividends. The lineout didn’t function as well as normal, partly because of the athleticism of the home forwards but partly because the Crabs lineout is curiously static these days and would benefit from rather more movement up and down the line as practiced by Newton.

This Saturday the 1s are away at Totnes in the League, ko 3.0 pm and the 2s are at home also to Totnes at 3.0 pm.

This match turned on an extraordinary, even if possibly technically correct, decision by the young ref, a decision which was endorsed by his experienced coach/assessor. With the game finely balanced at 14-17 to the visitors and Salcombe close to the Molton line, the Crabs were penalised. The Molton kicker put the ball high and long striking a branch of the surrounding trees some 40+ feet up. The ball rebounded into the field of play and with 29 players moving for the lineout the enterprising Molton winger picked it up and ran unopposed to touch down. Despite angry protest from the entire Salcombe contingent the referee allowed the try and Salcombe went 14-22 down.

Understandably the Molton touch judge raised his flag as the ball sailed over his head but took it down, again understandably, as the ball bounced back. The referee declined to seek his assistance and on being questioned by the Salcombe Chairman whom he had summoned to the pitch to quell the angry Crabs supporters, he was unable to say which branch the ball had struck. This is crucial as some branches do overhang the field of play but the majority do not. While the decision to award the try could possibly be correct, most present including the Molton players felt that 99% of referees would have called for the lineout.

This incident was unfortunate not just for Salcombe who had had their momentum taken away from them, but for the referee who otherwise had had a good match.

Prior to that Salcombe had struggled for the first half hour to get their hands on the ball and on retaining it when they did have it.

The visitors scored two unconverted tries in this period but on the half hour Salcombe started to contest more effectively and a great break by Darren Hopkins at inside centre set up the supporting Rich Gregson at flanker to score under the posts with Chris Drew adding the extras.
Straight after half time good Salcombe possession saw Anthony Squire race down the wing for a try wide out. Drew made an excellent conversion into a steady breeze and Salcombe were 14-10 up. Molton then scored another try after Salcombe were turned over to bring the score to 17-14 with Salcombe pressing hard. There then followed the tree incident to put the visitors 22-14 in the lead and Salcombe heads dipped allowing Molton to score twice more to bring up the final score.

The Crabs have no match next week as they head off to see James Palmer tie the knot but return to action the following week with a friendly for both1s and 2s away at Topsham.

Before the match the Crabs were presented with their new strip by Main Sponsor, Charlie Yeoward, of Yeowards Boatyards and with new kit bags by Ian Vassiere of IV Plumbing. However their good fortune then ran out as Salcombe lost in a highly entertaining match by the odd point. The loss was particularly frustrating for Salcombe as the match served as a double header counting both for the league and as an eliminator for the RFU Junior Vase.

The game started well enough with Salcombe gaining a lot of possession and keeping pressure up in the visitors’ half. This resulted in an early try for Anthony Squire who benefiting from quick ball then had to ride a series of attempted tackles to score under the posts for Chris Drew to convert.

7-0 up and here we go thought the Salcombe faithful but the score served to wake Topsham up and for much of the rest of the half they outplayed Salcombe scoring three tries, one converted, and a penalty to put them 17-7 in the lead by half time. Significantly too they put two men onto marking Squire who was tap tackled repeatedly as he tried to lift the siege.

The second half went much better for Salcombe who attacked from the start and looked a much sharper outfit throughout. Squire had a great run only to have the ball knocked out of his hand as he was close to the line. A series of rucks then gave Salcombe the opportunity for skipper Stuart Winzer to make a short break before popping the ball to new signing Luke Williamson who went over under the posts allowing Drew to add the extra points.

Drew then kicked a penalty and with 20 minutes to go the scores were level. An error in midfield and some sloppy tackling then let Topsham regain the lead with an unconverted try. They then followed this up with a penalty which should have been out of reach but some Salcombe backchat took it 10 yards further in and the Crabs were now trailing 25-17 and importantly by two scores.

In a great move down the wing involving about half the Crabs players, flanker Richard Gregson eventually touched down wide out. Full back Lee Clarke who had played excellently fielding the high ball into the sun then put over a great conversion to bring the score to 24-25 to the visitors. With 3 minutes remaining Topsham weathered the Salcombe storm to earn their narrow victory.

This week Salcombe will again be in league action at home against South Molton ko 3.0pm and hope to follow that up with a 2nd team match, ko around 4.45, also against South Molton.

Salcombe moved their pre-season training on another stage with a practice match against Devonport High School Old Boys in Plymouth last Saturday. In poor conditions the Crabs easily overcame the home side's defence and ran in 10 tries in a 62-5 win. With Salcombe dominating throughout in all aspects of the game coach John Rolls pronounced himself satisfied with the win but felt there was still plenty of room for improvement, notably in running hard and straight and not hanging on to the ball too long before off loading. Try scorers were Squire 4, Hopkins 2, Bennett, Masters, R Winzer and Lidstone. There were 6 conversions.

Next weekend is a blank for the Crabs who intend some serious mayhem at James Palmer's stag do. The following week, 31 August, the Crabs will have another practice match away at Plymouth Argaum. This is followed on 7 and 14 September by two home League matches against Topsham on the 7th and South Molton on the 14th. Both games kick off at 3.0pm

The new season is fast approaching and club memberships will be due shortly. Attached is a letter from our Chairman and a link to the downloadable Membership form is below.

Dear Member

The new season is just around the corner and so it is time for me to write to you yet again to remind you that your annual memberships are due on the 1st September 2013.

The committee have kept the subscriptions rates the same as last year and although the players rates have risen, this is due to them receiving their own shorts and socks for the season.

Please find attached the renewal membership form and payment can be made by cash, cheque and also by BACS :-
S.R.F.C Ltd HSBC
sort code: 40-26-10
account number:  51471589

When completing the renewal form, please ensure that you complete ALL the details, especially the email address, as we are trying to move into the 21st Century and doing as much as we can electronically, thus saving the club on postage costs and keeping you up to date with any future events, as well as this years fixture list.

If you require a membership card please ask at time of application. You will now be electronically registered so there is no longer a need for the cards, however we do appreciate that some of you like to have them.

Lastly but most importantly can I remind everyone that by becoming a member of the Club, you are also signing up to the RFU's core principles of TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE and SPORTSMANSHIP.

In practical terms that means not abusing referees, players of either sides, officials or other members, or visiting members of other clubs. In particular this applies to Mini and Junior matches, where throughout the country the players are much less of a problem than some over enthusiastic parents and supporters.

I think in Salcombe we are generally well behaved, but the RFU has asked all clubs to remind its members to observe The Code Of Conduct.

Lets hope we have a good season, that our teams are successful throughout and I look forward to seeing you all at matches.

Yours Sincerely
John Sprague
Chairman, Salcombe Rugby

Our AGM will on by 24 June 2013, 7pm at the club.

Agenda, Officer Nominations etc. will be posted on the club noticeboard.

Salcombe RFC held their Annual Dinner this year at Cliff House on May 11th and as part of their 125th Anniversary celebrations many former players attended a sell out event. Dinner was provided as ever by Liz Turner of the Dinner Service.Com and was hugely appreciated by all before Stuart Reed took the floor and reminisced about former players, incidents and events in the Club's history, many not repeatable in print!

President Paul Roberts then made presentations to Linda Stewart who is retiring after 12 years running the 2nd team and to Steph Clark as a thank you for all the wonderful meals she cooks for the players. Chairman John Sprague presented retiring coach Adrian Masters with wine and a book of simple arithmetic to help him work out when a bonus point is available-don't ask! Adrian is returning to assessing referees which he thinks will be less stressful than watching the Crabs do their annual trick of just avoiding relegation by winning their last game away at South Molton.

Pippa Favis then presented the Tina Favis Award for service to the Club over the years to Mark Lidstone before Paul Roberts announced the season's awards which were 2nd Team Player of the Year- Craig Julian, Most Improved Player- Darren Clarke, Young Player- Simon Walters-Symons, Players Player and Partridge Cup- James Palmer.

Lastly Captain Lewis Winzer presented the Captain's Shield to his brother and Vice Captain Stuart before dancing to Vicious Kitten rounded off the evening.

A summary of all awards, Junior & Senior for 2012/13 can be found here.

The club are pleased to announce the appointment of a coach for the new season. John Rolls, an ex Army PTI instructor and former coach of Brixham (among other clubs contacted). The chairman and met with senior players and officials last night. He is a very enthusiastic and passionate chap who wants to move the club forwards. There will be a players meeting Thursday 26th June at 8pm and Training commences the following Tuesday (2nd July).

All new players welcome.

Contested between the two clubs since 1923, in recent years the Cup has rarely left the Crabs’ Trophy cabinet. But on Saturday Buckfastleigh having won the Devon Vase the previous week came to Salcombe determined to win back the Barry Cup for the first time in 6 years.
They played with greater urgency than Salcombe and deserved to win a tight match although the final scoreline rather flattered them.10 minutes from time the Crabs were only 11-12 down having scored a drop goal and a try in the previous 15 minutes in reply to the visitors’ 4 penalties. But a late flurry from Buckfastleigh saw them score two converted tries to make the difference.

Salcombe started without 7 regular players, 5 of them in the backs, and an injury after 5 minutes forced Darren Hopkins, one of the few backs left, off the field leaving Salcombe short of strike runners. The first half therefore was very much about a forward battle with the Crabs playing against the wind and facing the sun. Inevitably mistakes occurred and the visitors’ excellent kicker put over 3 penalties, one from the half way line, to bring up a first half score of 9-0 to Buckfastleigh.

Turning round to their favourite Clubhouse end and with the wind and the sun at their backs Salcombe were favourite to quickly turn the score around. Lee Clarke kicked a penalty but the visitors then replied with a penalty of their own.

The Crabs then put in their best period of the game. Clarke sensing the lack of cutting edge outside him opted for a brilliantly taken drop goal from the 22 and at an angle and this was followed up by his brother Darren scoring a difficult try to end a good Salcombe move right by the touchline.

Lee Clarke’s conversion failed and from the kick off the Crabs made a mess of gathering the kick giving the visitors the opportunity to set up a position from which they notched up their first try. This was quickly followed by their second, both well converted to end the match.

Salcombe's tour to Bratislava, Skovakia included a fixture across the border against the current champions of Hungary, Estergom. In a high scoring and entertaining game that either team could have won the lead changed hands several times. Salcombe opened the scoring after five minutes when fly half Rupert Bevan scurried in to touch down out wide. Jeremy Foster added the touchline conversion. The hosts soon replied with three quick fire scores of their own, taking advantage of some bleary eyed Salcombe tourists from the night before. One tourist who had an early night the night before, Chris Winzer showed his freshness and pace to out sprint his opposite winger to score out wide.

Again Foster converted with deadly accuracy. An inspiring half time team talk from coach Adrian Masters saw Salcombe start the second half with less intensity and less energy. The nine times champions of Hungary capitalised on this and scored three further Tries and successfully converting just the one. With the English side struggling several changes to the team were made and it seemed to spark a comeback. Firstly, following a 15 man maul captain Stuart Winzer was the man under the pile of bodies to touchdown. Foster added the extras with his left foot. Salcombe's final try scorer was hooker Richard Harris who showed life in his old legs by sprinting the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Understudy kicker Lee Clarke took the kick which luckily bounced off the post but over the crossbar for the extra two points. In the end though the hosts turned out worthy winners and both teams shared a drink with each other in customary fashion.

This week is Salcombe's final game of the season against Buckfastleigh for the 'Barry Cup'. Kick off is at three at Twomeads, Salcombe. Tickets are still available for the Gala Dinner to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club. Contact the bar for more details.

After the excitement of last week’s win at South Molton to secure another season in Devon 1, this was very much an anticlimax for the Crabs who were also looking to stay injury free for their tour this weekend to Bratislava. Tackles fell off and there was little urgency to their play. They were further hampered by absences due to injuries and availability problems which, taken together with Plymstock’s need for a win and a four try bonus point, combined for a one sided match.

Salcombe began well pressing the home side’s line and were quickly rewarded with a Chris Drew penalty. But thereafter it was one way traffic with Plymstock scoring 3 tries and a penalty in the first half to go into a 18-3 lead at half time.

The second half scoring was more even as Plymstock scored two more tries to give them the bonus point and then visibly tired as the effects of four matches in eight days made themselves felt. This allowed the Crabs to come back with two tries of their own, a fine individual effort from Darren Hopkins and a well worked move that put Darren Clarke in out wide. Both conversions failed.

This week Salcombe are on tour based in Bratislava but playing a game in Hungary and then return for the last match of the season to play the Barry Cup against Buckfastleigh on May 4th ko 3.0 pm.

The following week, 11th May, is the 125th Reunion Dinner and Players’ Awards night with a Dinner Dance at Cliff House and dancing to Vicious Kitten, tickets £25 each still available from behind the Bar. Numbers are limited so get yours booked now.

With this win Salcombe assured themselves of another season in Devon 1 although the danger of relegation was largely hypothetical unless Torrington pulled off an unlikely win at 2nd placed New Cross. Nevertheless Salcombe launched themselves into the game and Molton as if their lives depended on it and playing down the slope and with the wind, they established a 17-3 lead at half time.

This was a huge performance by the Crabs who were without 6 regulars and with two players nursing injuries. They were fortunate to have the hugely talented Anthony Squire playing at 13 and his two tries were pivotal but the ball had to be won to get it to him. In the end he was one of 15 players who played their hearts out and put on a superb second half defensive display to deny the home side. The quality of that defence showed especially on the three occasions when Salcombe had a man in the bin and they did not concede a point.

The game started with the Crabs exerting great pressure on the home side and consistently winning ball. Employing two fast flankers in Richard Gregson and Darren Hopkins paid off as they were usually first to the breakdown with the more sturdily built Stuart Winzer, captaining the side in the absence of brother Lewis, quickly on hand to lend weight to the breakdown. James Palmer and Scott Lowry at second row lent pace and solidity to the pack and the indomitable Jez Foster at loose head together with James Turner and Jim Winzer gave the front row a presence that rocked the formidable Molton front row.

Pressure was duly rewarded when Lee Clarke, having a virtuoso game at scrum half, kicked a penalty to open the scoring. Chris Drew, who had only just passed a late fitness test on a back injury, was conducting himself sedately and so had handed the kicking duties to the youngster.

This was quickly followed by Squire’s two tries both resulting from good possession but both needing the centre’s strength and balanced running to take him over. Clarke converted both and late in the half S Molton kicked a penalty to bring up the half time score.

From a Crab’s standpoint the second half was all about defence as Molton now had the slope and the wind. Their strength lies in their pack who are experts at offloading the ball and proceeded to demonstrate this continually not involving their backs to any great extent. This made Salcombe’s task simpler as the attack was on a narrow front and Rupert Bevan, Oli Masters, Mark Parnowski and Squire all came into the defence making crunching tackles to help the forwards stem the home side’s attacks. Drafted in to fill the slot at fullback, veteran Mark Lidstone fielded the high ball well and was even seen to make a tackle or two as well as putting in several good runs out of defence. South Molton eventually got their two tries but could convert only one and so the game ended.

This week the Crabs play their rearranged league game at Plymstock, ko 3.0pm with the home side looking for a four try bonus point win to take them into the playoff spot for promotion. Salcombe want to build on last week’s win to carry them forward in buoyant mood for their tour to Bratislava and then on 4 May to play Buckfastleigh in the Barry Cup at Twomeads, ko3.0pm.

The SRFC Juniors Presentation Evening will be held on Friday 3 May @ Twomeads.

Anyone still with last year's trophies please return them to the Bar asap.

The Fashion Show will be held on Wednesday 8 May @ Twomeads.

Old Tech's 2nds 24 Salcombe 2nds 40. With salcombe fielding 12 men against the home sides 15 this was a remarkable performance in awful weather. Guest second rows Chris Drew and Darren Hopkins both scored two touchdowns. Richard Gregson and Pete Bastin with the other try's. Craig Julian adding the kicks. Lots of good rugby played and lots of banter with the female ref who assumed Pete Bastin was a prop! Prawny Maccy Moo Martin Gautier Darren Clarke muddy heroes!

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Yet another game that Salcombe managed to lose by less than 5 points but a particularly vital one that puts them only one place above the relegation zone as Topsham moved above them with an 87 point demolition of Dartmouth who seem to have given up almost entirely conceding an average of 79 points in each of their last 3 games.

New Cross started with a rush and quickly established good field position and were rewarded after 6 minutes when a series of rucks saw them go over for the try which they duly converted. Salcombe recovered well and Chris Drew was unlucky to miss a tricky penalty.

A dropped pass shortly after denied the Crabs a try but then from a lineout James Cooper, having the game of his life, broke with the ball and accelerated up the touchline before linking with James Palmer who in turn gave the scoring pass to Lewis Winzer for the try.

The conversion failed but the score inspired Salcombe to their best passage of play with the forwards dominating the exchanges in the loose and the backs, with Rupert Bevan prominent, looking threatening in attack. Salcombe were rewarded for this effort when a series of rucks enabled the backs to run with quick ball and for Bevan to give Mark Parnowski the final pass for a fine try which Drew converted. This put the Crabs 12-7 ahead at half time but unfortunately in the run up to the try Bevan pulled his hamstring and had to go off.

As Salcombe were suffering with a number of injuries and players not available they fielded a bench with a combined age of 135 from which Mark Lidstone emerged to go on the wing while the lively Parnowski joined his fellow speedster Darren Hopkins in the centre.

The second half started badly when a kick from New Cross was fielded and should have been returned with interest. Instead Salcombe were caught in possession, New Cross regained the ball and went over under the posts for a converted try. Salcombe then regained the lead through a typical Palmer try shaking off tackles as he was fed the ball close to the line for Drew to convert and put Salcombe 19-14 ahead.
Heartbreakingly some silly mistakes allowed the visitors to break through for a converted try to bring the score to 19-21 to New Cross. In the last minutes Hopkins was put clear but the pass was forward and with that went the match.

Salcombe played well as a whole with Cooper and Palmer outstanding in the forwards and Sid Walter-Symons, James Turner and Jim Winzer showing that not only could they cope with the weighty New Cross front row, but that they had plenty to offer in the loose. In the backs Hopkins, Parnowski and Darren Clarke all had their moments and your reporter is still left wondering how this match was lost. The answer is two silly mistakes!

This week the Crabs have a week off before playing Plymstock away on 23 March.

The menu for SRFC's 125th Anniversary Gala Evening at Cliff House on 11 May 2013 is now available.

gala_evening_menu_2013.pdf

Please note date and venue change

We were recently featured in "Rugby Club" magazine.

www.rugbyclub.biz/rugbyMags/Rugby_Club_Issue_31

Salcombe dominated this match for the first 10 minutes and went 7-0 up through a try from the rumbustious James Palmer, converted by Chris Drew, finishing off a fine forward drive to the posts. Palmer then took a knock to the head and had to go off. Already short of Sean Baker recovering from last week’s match, Palmer’s absence was particularly felt as Dartmouth used their heavy pack to best advantage.
The next 55 minutes largely belonged to Dartmouth who scored two tries, one converted, and two penalties in the period with the ever reliable Drew keeping Salcombe in touch with two penalties.

Entering the last 15 minutes of the match the Crabs were 13-18 down but superior fitness and composure, no penalties conceded in the time, saw them through with 11 points scored without reply to bring up the final score. A lot of credit must go to the half backs Drew and captain Lewis Winzer who both had excellent games and controlled the situation well.

The inspiration was a moment of genius from Oli Masters who made a great break from centre before putting in a delicate chip ahead for wing Mark Parnowski to gather for the try out by the far touch.

Drew’s conversion narrowly failed but the scores were level and Salcombe started to re-assert themselves establishing themselves in Dartmouth territory. The visitors who were visibly tiring had to infringe to stop the Crabs scoring thus allowing Drew to kick two fine penalties to put Salcombe clear.

This was an important win for the Crabs as it keeps them 5 and 6 points clear of Topsham and Torrington who are also battling to avoid the drop to Devon 2 with Dartmouth, barring miracles, already looking likely to be playing in the lower division next season. But the chasing pack have several games in hand on Salcombe and have a rather easier run in than the Crabs who have to play the top 4 clubs in the league, only one at home.

This Saturday Salcombe will send a club side to play Torquay 3s at Torquay kicking off at 2.30. They then play Exeter University away on 2 March before kicking off their 125th year celebration with a Former Players lunch on March 9th before the home League match against New Cross. All VPs and sponsors have been invited, lunch is free but not the drink! and the Club should be full to cheer the boys on in a vital league match.

After a winning run of 3 games, 2 in the League and one in the Cup, it all came to a sticky end at Totnes where the hosts convincingly won against a strangely lacklustre Crabs side. Salcombe weren’t helped by starting without a couple of key players and early on also lost the influential Sean Baker with a badly gashed head in an incident that, had the referee seen it, might have resulted in an early exit for one of the Totnes forwards. But that said on the day the home side were by far the better outfit.

Salcombe started well and for the first 7 minutes dominated both possession and territory but Totnes soon showed the quality of their forward play when they won a penalty, kicked for touch and from the resulting lineout they put together an excellent rolling maul to score wide out. The home kicker was in great form and converted this and their two subsequent tries, one from another rolling maul and one from a drive and pass to the wing, to bring up a half time score of 21-0 to Totnes.

Turning round with the slope Salcombe played better with James Palmer in particular taking on the carrying duties and centres Oli Masters and Rupert Bevan in great tackling form. Totnes added to their score with a penalty to increase their lead to 24-0 but could otherwise achieve little against a more spirited Crabs defence.

This week Salcombe play Dartmouth in the League at home, ko 2.30, but although Dartmouth are bottom of the League, Salcombe will have to play much better than this if they are to get the points.

For the second week running the Crabs stepped up to the mark to produce a fantastic result. With both clubs fighting for league survival it was a game Salcombe knew they had to get something out of. Playing into a strong wind on one of the league’s biggest pitches, Salcombe anticipated been pinned back inside their half by the home side. However Topsham never used the wind to create pressure and any kicks they did send down were run back with interest by the Salcombe back three.

Salcombe caused Topsham problems all over the park. Quick turnover ball led to fine breaks by Oli Masters and Darren Clarke to give Salcombe good field position. The forwards attempted to smash their way over the try line but kept being denied by some stout defending. As soon as Captain Lewis Winzer shipped the ball outside, the Salcombe backs showed great simple hands to send Full back Lee Clarke to score wide out. Chris Drew kicked a magnificent conversion into the wind to make it a 7-0 lead midway through the first half.

The end of the first half saw Topsham threaten Salcombe’s goal line. A penalty was kicked to the corner and from the resultant catch and drives the Crabs were under real pressure. Fantastic defending from Jim Winzer and James Palmer led to Salcombe turning over the ball right on the stroke of half time.

Into the second half with the wind at their backs Salcombe showed how to play territory Rugby with Fly-Half Chris Drew pegging the Topsham team inside their half time and time again with some pinpoint kicking. James Cooper on for the injured Ian Smerdon provided some much needed energy to the hard working pack. It was the pack again who tried to batter through the oppositions defence after a period of sustained pressure. Finally the ball was given to the backs who once again spun it out wide with speed and efficiency allowing winger Darren Hopkins to cross for Salcombe’s second score. Salcombe’s third try came after a great kick chase by Darren Clarke. The speedy winger charged down the full back’s attempted clearance and gathered the ball to outpace the defence to score in the corner. Both conversions were missed in the windy conditions but Salcombe knew the game was won and the search for the bonus point was on.

Towards the end of the game the Crabs were reduced to 13 men with Lee Clarke being sent to the bin for being offside and Jim Winzer for having handbags with former Salcombe player Alan Steer. Salcombe’s discipline must improve or better teams will punish them. With the time running out Salcombe gambled with a tap penalty looking for the fourth try. Topsham turned over the ball and scored their only points under the posts with the last play. The conversion attempt miserably failed. Whilst Salcombe’s three quarter line scored the points, the pack worked tirelessly all afternoon. Stuart Winzer inspired the forwards with a huge game and the half back pairing of Lewis Winzer and Chris Drew managed the game superbly. With the win under their belts Salcombe move closer to mid table. The team above them, Totnes are the next opponents for the Crabs this Saturday away in Totnes at 1430.

This was an important win for the Crabs because with Topsham and Dartmouth both losing, this bonus point win lifted Salcombe out of immediate danger. Even so a win away at Topsham this Saturday is vital to put the Club some distance from the relegation zone.

Salcombe started well with Oli Masters making the first of a number of searing breaks only for a vital pass to go to ground. But territory had been won and an infringement by the visitors gave Chris Drew the chance to pop over the penalty. However a Salcombe error at the other end allowed Torrington to level the scores at 3 all before Salcombe started to assert themselves in terms of possession and territory. As they moved steadily into Torrington’s 22, a charging run by 2nd row Scott Lowry saw him link up with Mark Parnowski on the wing who went over wide out to move the score on to 8-3 to the Crabs.

Further Salcombe pressure resulted in a scrum 10 yards out from the visitors line and when their scrum half struggling with slow ball tried to kick clear, the excellent Ian Smerdon charged down and gathered the ball for the try. The conversion failed but the score now moved to 13-3 to the home side.

Salcombe were now well and truly in the driving seat although they missed several chances to score including one where Masters thought his momentum had carried him over the line only for the ref to judge that it was a second movement and disallow it. Just before half time Drew slotted a second penalty to bring the score up to 16-3 at the break.

The second half repeated the pattern of the first with Torrington not looking threatening and with Salcombe firmly having the bonus point in their sights. Throughout the side everyone was playing well and all looked hungry for the ball and to make sure that if the visitors had it that they were not going to make anything of it. Lee, alias Tubs, Clarke was particularly impressive at full back catching any Torrington clearance kick and running it back at them or kicking judiciously into open spaces. Definitely his best game by far in a Salcombe shirt.

With the Crabs exerting constant control further scores seemed inevitable and following a series of rucks outstanding flanker James Palmer scored the third try which Drew converted. Soon after Torrington got a penalty and the score stood at 23-6. Salcombe then got their just reward when a fine run by Darren Clarke ended with him slipping a neat inside pass to the ever present Smerdon for the fourth and bonus winning try. The kick failed but Salcombe had secured the full five league points and run out winners at 28-6, their best league score for some years.

This week the 1st team play Topsham away in a rearranged league game ko 2.30 and the 2nd team entertain DHSOB at home, again ko 2.30.