Monday 8 November, 2021, by John Sprague
Torrington have had difficulties fielding a full side for some long distance away matches and arrived at Twomeads with only 13 players. Salcombe had a full side and then some, so in the spirit of the game they lent the visitors 2 players to even things up.
Whether the Crabs thought this was going to be an easy match is uncertain but what emerged was that Salcombe had the majority of the possession in the first quarter but continually squandered scoring chances in a welter of dropped passes, aimless kicks and missed overlaps. Torrington put up a spirited defence, mostly in their own half, but with the ball in hand they looked dangerously quick and it was only some great Crabs tackling led by Jordan Tebb, Dan Sinnott and Ben Goodman that prevented a score.
Eventually the stalemate was broken when a speculative kick ahead broke kindly and the speedy Jonathon Squire was on hand to gather and score close to the posts with Lee Clarke adding the extras for 7-0 to the Crabs. The score settled the Crabs somewhat and while still a long way from their best, there was some coherent attacking play. Kieron Clarke, Jon Hawtin and David Evans all had good runs before the effervescent Tebb made a great break and off loaded to Squire who got his second under the posts for a half time score of 14 – 0.
Now playing with the stiff breeze Salcombe’s hopes were high and another great run by Tebb early in the half almost resulted in a try. But it was Torrington who were next on the board when they showed Salcombe how to take a penalty kick to touch, win the lineout and drive over for the try, a move Salcombe had tried several times and messed up each time. But Salcombe continued pressing hard and were held up over the line several times before getting their just reward when from an indirect free kick close to the line that man Squire got the ball and went over for his hat trick wide out. Up stepped veteran Chairman Mark Lidstone, on as a sub, to put over a difficult kick in the swirling wind.
Despite Salcombe trying desperately for the bonus point try, the Torrington defence held firm and a break away try late in the game brought them the final score of 21-12.