Monday 7 November, 2022, by John Sprague
Apart from the one sided nature of the match, the main noteworthy feature was new signing Morgan Coombes tally of 5 tries on his first starting game. Playing on the wing he had the advantage of often being in the right place at the right time to benefit from the Crabs’ exuberant handling. But all his tries needed work from him to put them away and two at least were solo efforts that rewarded this hard work.
Salcombe went to Plymstock with a full squad despite having at least 5 key players our through injury or unavailability but quickly showed that they intended following up their last 2 bonus point victories with another. A shrewd kick ahead from veteran Mark Lidstone went over the home side’s defence and bobbled dangerously for them as they turned to gather. Coombes who had been following up at speed then shouldered the two Plymstock players aside, gathered the ball and scored. The conversion, the first of 8 by Lee Clarke, left Salcombe 7-0 ahead early in the game.
Salcombe then started some lovely passing moves which tested the home defence and in particular their fitness. They were a large side who held their own in the tight but had no answer to the way Salcombe were playing. Simple rugby and confident hands led to two more tries for Coombes before half time to make the score 19-3 to Salcombe, the home side having converted one of the numerous penalties they were given by the Plymouth Society referee.
Turning round with the slope the second half started with a great solo effort from Jordan Tebb, making his return to the team, who ran over half the length of the pitch bursting through attempted tackles to touch down under the posts. A good line out take followed and after moving the ball to and fro the pack drove from a ruck with Toby Woods barging his way over for the try and a score of 33-8 to Salcombe.
Playing up the slope Plymstock rather ran out of steam and their defence which had been good,despite the score, deteriorated. Salcombe ran in 4 more tries in the last 20 minutes. The first an excellent effort from Coombes who out ran the opposition in pursuit of a kick ahead, then deftly tapped it on at full speed and scored as it crossed the line. Coombes was again the scorer when he was on the end of another sweet bit of handling by the Crabs’ backs to complete his five try tally.
Dave Evans then launched himself at Plymstock evading and breaking several tackles in the process of running upwards of 50 metres for Salcombe’s 8th try. Lastly Steve Moran completed another passing movement with a well earned try in the corner, the 9th for the Crabs.
This week Salcombe are at home to high flying Old Technicians, ko 2.30, which will be a much sterner test for the boys.