U8: Paignton v Salcombe

Monday 24 January, 2022, by Mervyn Down

This week saw our U8s on the road again, travelling to Paignton.

Game 1
Ella wore the skippers arm band for the first game, and did not hold back in organising her team which included her brother and cousin. Ella led from the front throughout the day with strong running and persistent tagging.

Freddy-George started the scoreboard going with his trademark running and side steps to bag 2 in the first half, with Ella also crossing over just before the half time whistle.  Giving the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Second half saw FG & Aussie cross the whitewash early doors before Paignton scored one of their own. On loan player, Charlie, from KRFC, then scored a cracking try. Paignton then bagged 2 tries at the end as the Salcombe players slowed the pace having realised they couldn’t lose. Final score 6-4.

Game 2
New Skipper in Kai, did a fantastic job having only seen his first rugby ball just 2 months ago! He is now one of Salcombes finest players with a side step and change of direction that could get him to the front of any queue!

Salcombe started this one, but sloppy passing saw an early turnover. Unhappy with that mistake the crabs made a series of strong tags to turn the ball over. From within their own half, fine inter-passing saw them work up the pitch and Charlie take the honours for the first try of the half. Paignton evened the scores with a well worked try of their own.

Another turnover from the subsequent restart saw Jarad get a chance to stretch his legs and run around the oppositions defence. Followed by FG getting his 4th of the day, before having to leave the field with a slipped eye lash.

Paignton grabbed a second before the half time whistle. Second half was a scrappy affair, but Paignton were now at a loss and simply couldn’t cope with the renowned aggressive defence of the Salcombe team which, as always, was led by Aussie.

Kai bagged a well deserved try. Another great turnover from solid defence gave Josh a try. Oscar was then unlucky not to cross over in the corner. Paignton scuppered their only chance of the half with a knock-on following Aussie's in your face defence. He then picked the ball up and ran the length of the pitch, narrowly getting through the quick sand before diving like a salmon for a very well deserved try. Final score 6-2

Player of the day was Ella, who led from the front throughout.