Newspaper Cuttings
Transcribed

THIS RYDER CUP IS CATCHING ON, TOO

(Handwritten note: "June 23rd 1994")

The Ryder Cup golf tournament came to Bigbury last week – or at least the Bob Ryder Cup did!

The friendly golfing challenge was taken up by the Kingsbridge and Salcombe rugby clubs and looks set to become a major charity fund-raiser.

The event, played at Bigbury Golf Course, has been affectionately nicknamed the Ryder Cup after driving instructor Bob Ryder, who helped with the organisation.

The large L-shaped trophy was presented by Bob Ryder to first-time winners, Salcombe, at a gala dinner at the Hermitage pub, Kingsbridge.

Tournament organiser Chris Massey, captain of Kingsbridge Rugby Club and landlord of the Hermitage, said:

"The idea for the tournament came out of a chance conversation in the pub about a fun golf challenge between the two clubs."

More than 30 people competed and many local businessmen were involved and helped to provide prizes for the competition.

Mr Massey and co-organisers, Tony Paul, captain of Salcombe, and Martin Jackson, hope that the success of this year's tournament will lead on to it becoming an annual charity event.

Next year's date has already been booked for June 16.

Tuesday, December 27, 1994

Kingsbridge make it to halfway stage with 100 per cent record

Salcombe 19pts

Kingsbridge 21

THIS Boxing Day victory completed a magnificent first half to the season for Kingsbridge, who won all 16 games.

However, arch rivals Salcombe did their best to wreck the record with a tremendous second-half comeback that had their visitors defending desperately at the end.

Kingsbridge made by far the better start and appeared to have the game virtually sewn up at the break with a 16–nil lead.

Crucial period

Salcombe, to their credit, had other ideas and quickly pulled up to 12–16 with tries by winger Steve Hamilton and centre Paul Sterland, and a conversion by full-back Mike Allen.

Then came the crucial period of the match and it went Kingsbridge's way, with fly-half Chris Bowles sneaking clear for a try.

This proved to be a killer punch by the number ten, who had landed three penalties in the first half as well as converting a try from full-back Ashley Collins.

Salcombe went on to dominate the later stages, but the gap always looked just too wide despite a touchdown from lock Jason Jones, which Allen converted.

Friday, April 19, 1991

Two great men of local rugby mourned

DENNIS CASELEY

Final tributes have been paid to Mr Dennis Caseley, who taught generations of Kingsbridge children and was well-known in the town as "Mr Rugby."

The funeral service was held at Malborough Parish Church last week prior to interment at Dodbrooke.

Rev Derek Newport, vicar of Malborough, who conducted the service, said: "He was an inspired and dedicated teacher who believed in education both in and out of school. As such, he was held in high repute. He was a born teacher, and former pupils remember him with great affection."

Mr Caseley, who was 85, was a member of an old Kingsbridge family. He was born at Dodbrooke and brought up in the town. He attended the Kingsbridge Council School in Waterloo Road and passed a scholarship to the old grammar school (now the Cookworthy Museum).

At the age of 18, he returned to the Waterloo Road boys' school as a student-teacher and gained his teaching qualifications, including an Oxford University course, while working in classrooms.

Mr Caseley was playing rugby for Kingsbridge by the mid-1920s and first took up the post of secretary in 1923. In the official club history, Steve Ball said that a new enthusiasm for the handling code took hold on the town in 1931 – "and it was due to one man, the original Mr Rugby, Dennis Caseley."

Den was an umpire. At his death, he was president of Kingsbridge Cricket Club.

Mr Caseley was an unceasing organiser and promoter of the club, and he soon earned the reputation of being one of the finest club secretaries in the county.

Mr Caseley served in that capacity for an unbroken 25 years, from 1930 to 1955. As schoolmaster, he fostered the open game, and instilled good sportsmanship in every young player.

Club president Mr Frank Ball said in tribute:

He was the prime mover of rugby in the town. All those of us who played when he was secretary – and I am one of them – recognise him as Mr Rugby."

During the war, Mr Caseley ran the ARP unit, became involved with the ATC and supervised a youth club in Kingsbridge.

Mr Caseley's first wife died in 1959 and he re-married after he retired from teaching in 1971. He continued an active life in retirement.

He was involved in the town twinning between Kingsbridge and Isigny, served as secretary of the Chamber of Trade and founded the Greyhounds sports club.

He also worked on the Gazette staff for a period and ran its information bureau.

Mr Caseley and his wife Joan, who is a former Mayor of Salcombe, lived for many years at the Old Porch House, Shadycombe Road, Salcombe.

Though confined to a wheelchair in recent years after suffering a stroke, he managed to get about and even gave an after-dinner speech to the grammar school old boys last autumn.

Mrs Caseley still lives in Salcombe, but because of her health Mr Caseley had been looked after for the last two years by Mr and Mrs Brian Perry, of Malborough, who had known him from the 1960s.

Mrs Angela Perry said:

"He was actively interested in the sport scene to the last. We sometimes took him up to the club to watch a rugby match. He passed away very peacefully listening to a tape of cricket reminiscences."

Mr Caseley also leaves a son by his first marriage, Mr Paddy Caseley, who is a teacher in Okehampton.

KEN RICHARDS

More than 500 people packed Salcombe Methodist Church on Monday for the funeral service of rugby club president and well-known fisherman Mr Ken Richards MBE.

Nearly 50 players – representing the first and second teams, colt and junior teams – lined the path to the church door, the adults in blazers and club ties and the children in club jerseys.

The service was conducted by the minister, the Rev Peter Nock, and Mr Michael Stone was at the organ.

Mr Richards, who was 62, had been a key figure in Salcombe rugby for decades. He played as a prop forward for the club for 20 years and then became its chairman.

He had been president since 1986 and was at the helm during the centenary year in 1988. When the clubhouse was redecorated, members painted a sign "The president's box" on the boilerhouse door as an affectionate joke.

As a crab fisherman, Mr Richards had worked with club chairman Mr Charlie Allen for a number of years.

"He was a wonderful man and wonderful friend," said Mr Allen. "The club will find it almost impossible to replace him."

In another tribute, club secretary Gordon McCormack described him as highly respected figure and said:

"Ken was everything a president should be. He was supportive to the team and followed them all over the place. He attended committee meetings and took part in all the social events. He was the club and now sadly he is gone."

Mr Richards, of Trade Winds, Raleigh Road, Salcombe, had been a fisherman all his life.

His son Michael recalled that he had started out with his own father on a 22ft boat in the era before fishing gear became mechanised.

In recent years Mr Richards was well known on the estuary with his boat, the Bolt Head Queen, a 40ft Dixon-built crabber.

Mr Richards was a founder member of the South Devon Shell Fishermen's Association and was its chairman for 20 years.

His contribution to the industry was immense. He sat on many committees, travelled all over Europe to attend meetings and frequently gave up work in the cause of improving conditions for his fellow fishermen.

He was made an MBE in 1983 for services to the fishing industry.

He leaves a widow, Janet, a son Michael and a daughter Wendy, who lives in Australia.

Salcombe Reserves 6 pts

Seale Hayne College 6 pts

Fourteen‑year‑old schoolboy F. Inch stole the honours in Salcombe Reserves’ match with Seale Hayne College at Two Meads on Saturday.

Adopting unorthodox tactics at scrum‑half, he sent out a splendid service to his outsides, enabling them to produce some fine open play.

The College were first to attack and, after a series of raids on the Salcombe line, were awarded a penalty which Morrison goaled.

The visitors continued their attacks and, from point‑blank range, Chiffney dropped a clever goal.

Salcombe improved towards the end of the first half and were unlucky not to open their account on two occasions.

Shortly after the restart, Inch initiated a good movement for Martin to pass to Ingram, who touched down an unconverted try in the corner.

The Reserves were now having more of the play and, with good service from the set scrums — thanks to the fine hooking of D. Shepherd — produced some excellent handling.

The visitors’ defence was hard‑pressed, but it was not until just before the final whistle that Best put Salcombe level with a penalty goal from a difficult angle.

Tomorrow’s Teams

Salcombe v Plymouth Albion United at Beacon Park 

Coach leaves 1.15 p.m.

Team: J. Dormer; R. Broad, P. Lamble, J. Jordan, T. Wilkins; P. Symons, R. Martin; K. Richards, D. Seccombe, R. Friend, D. Adams, R. Salter, A. N. Other, I. Foale, B. Cater.

Salcombe Res. v R.N. College Dartmouth III at Twomeads 

Kick‑off 3 p.m.

Team: J. Best, D. Parsons, J. Mort, B. Mort, J. Jellard, M. Lapthorne, G. Mulligan; J. Rolphe, D. Shepherd, C. Bennett, O. Burne, A. Tabb, N. Chope, J. Stone, J. Grimes.   Reserves: F. Inch, J. Towell.

Try from dasher Davies

Devonport High Old Boys completed the first half of their season with a hard‑earned 14–6 win over Old Public Oaks at Efford.

But they were full of praise for the sparkling move which enabled their opponents to hit back five minutes from the end.

Slick passing between Steve Philpott and Keith Potter yielded a splendid try from centre Owen Davies, which Philpott converted.

Prop Leon Payne, lock John Hooper and half‑backs Chris Hill and Peter Ireland — who scored one of their tries — played major roles in the Devonport success.

They were 10 points ahead at half‑time. Wingers Neil Adams and Walker Lapthorne brushed through the Oaks’ defence and Duncan Boase landed one conversion.

OPMs fielded two teams away to Salcombe and both acquitted themselves well.

Salcombe had the edge in the second half of the Chiefs game and turned a 3–4 interval deficit into a 16–4 victory. Number eight Tim Wescott scored the visitors’ try and there were some deft touches from centre Mark Ward.

Chris Johnson kicked a penalty in each half for Salcombe and improved one of the tries by winger Alan Thomas and fullback Nick Smith.

The second‑team match finished at 13–13. Kevin Davidson and Mark Hawkins crossed and Chris Johnson put over a conversion and a penalty. Flanker Steve Adams replied and John Clarke’s three penalties levelled matters.

Plymouth Albion United brought off a convincing 16–3 win over Newton Abbot Reserves with only seven forwards, but the transformation their attack underwent after half‑time was unexpected.

Trent penalty, Allen established a slender lead, centre Peter Lockett defence‑splitting run.

Lockett completed a hat‑trick for United and, after good work by Kevin Norris, prop Martin Aldridge — recently returned from Paignton — rounded off affairs with a smart solo try.

It was a fine day at Tavistock. Fly‑half Dave Allen featured in the 45–3 rout of St Columba at Torpoint, and Philip de Glanville — who scored twice — was making his last appearance before embarking on a nine‑month trip to Australia.

HARD WORK IN MUD

Salcombe 15 pts

Tamar Saracens 10

Salcombe made hard work of defeating Saracens on a badly waterlogged pitch. In all respects Salcombe were the superior side but could not match their efforts of the previous Sunday against South Hams.

Saracens started well, but a strong Salcombe pack soon had their opposite numbers in trouble and Paul went over for two push‑over tries.

Saracens came back and, when a clearance kick was charged down, the Saracens hooker went over for a try. They added two penalties to take the lead.

Salcombe stormed back with inspired running rugby when all the backs linked to put Lidstone over for a try. He then added a further penalty in the dying seconds.

Salcombe 2nds 4 pts

Exeter B 22

Salcombe deserved more than their four points as they spent much of the game camped in Exeter’s territory. But they couldn’t convert pressure into points, while Exeter made the most of their possession to score four tries, three converted.

Although Salcombe stuck to their task well, they couldn’t break a strong Exeter defence. Their points came from an up‑and‑under by John Dornan which Exeter fumbled, allowing Martin Neal to touch down.

Quay Barbarians 8 pts

Plymouth Poly 3

Following their 41–0 victory over Plympton last week, The Quay hosted a young and fit Poly side, making for a fast‑flowing game.

Good tackling by the Barbarians’ backs stifled Poly’s runs and set off fine attacks of their own, twice leading to tries by centre Peter Mitchell.

The pack played well, with Peter Edwards at prop, Darren Green and Martin Neal at wing forward, and Steve Williams in the second row standing out.

Poly’s only reply was a penalty.

Copy of an extract taken from the Exeter Football Express

of Feb. 10th, 1951.

In these times of frequency of penalties,

“feeling creeping into the game” — that benevolent cliché which may cloak a multitude of ugly sins — and players of even international status being sent off, it is refreshing to read a word or two of uplift from Mr. H. G. Webber of St Thomas, Exeter, vice‑president of the Devon Rugby Referees’ Society.

Writing to Ald. J. White, hon. secretary of Torquay, about the splendid game he experienced when Salcombe entertained Torquay Harlequins on February 3rd, Mr Webber stated:

“I feel it my duty, as a referee for many years, to say I never had a better match, because your lads tried, all the time, although beaten, to open the game up.

“I never heard one complaint and it speaks well for the future of Rugby in Torquay to think that young players coming along did not criticise the referee once during the game.

“It will take a very smart junior side to beat Salcombe this year, and it certainly will be no disgrace to be beaten by a side of this quality.”

BEST AT TWOMEADS FOR YEARS

Salcombe 35 pts

Torquay Ath 2nds 0

This was one of the most emphatic victories by a Salcombe team at Twomeads for many years. A first‑class display of all‑round rugby gained the admiration of even the most impartial spectators.

Salcombe’s pack was the cornerstone of the success, the front row — in which Taylor was outstanding — demoralising the opposition. He took 10 strikes against the head and, with Brimmacombe holding just about everything at the line‑outs, Torquay were reduced to an undignified scramble for possession.

The home team were no less effective in the loose, with Tony Paul capping a fine individual performance by scoring a hat‑trick of tries.

There were passages of quite outstanding rugby throughout the match, one of the most memorable from Brimmacombe, Rothwell and Knight who combined brilliantly to set up Johnson for a try. Johnson also kicked four conversions and a penalty to bring his personal points tally to 15.

Thomas and Knight also scored tries in what was a superb team performance.

Salcombe 4 pts

Devon and Cornwall Police 31

Salcombe tired during the second half of this special centenary match, their efforts against Torquay taking their toll.

Police, boasting three county players, scored four tries, a result of their superiority in loose play.

Salcombe opened the scoring with a fine try by Squires, but despite having the better of play in the tight, they were unable to break through again.

Four tries late in the match gave the score a lopsided look and hardly did justice to the efforts of Roberts, Rothwell and Brimmacombe in the pack and Gibbens, Johnson and McLoud in the backs.

Salcombe 2nds 15 pts

Torquay Ath 3rds 15

Two penalties, given away in front of the posts near the end of the match, cost Salcombe victory over Torquay.

Two Lidstone penalties brought Salcombe first‑half points against the try and penalty of Torquay.

During the second half Salcombe turned on the pressure and Lidstone quickly landed a drop goal. A pushover try and Lidstone’s conversion took the home team to a point where victory seemed a certainty, but then came two costly errors.

Hawkins, Chope and Hesse stood out in a good team performance.

Friday, December 4, 1987

SALCOMBE COME DOWN TO EARTH

Brixham 2nds 18

Salcombe 9

After several high‑scoring games, Salcombe were brought back to earth in a hard‑fought contest.

Despite plenty of effort and possession, their play was disjointed and the tackling below par.

C Johnson kicked a penalty to open Salcombe’s account, and T Paul scored a try which Johnson converted.

Brixham, however, kept the pressure on and sealed the win with late points in the final minutes.

South Hams sink HMS Defiance without trace

South Hams 58

HMS Defiance 18

South Hams’ backs produced an outstanding display.

Simon Gibbons, Chris Johnson, Andy Pearson, Ryan Hooper, Tim Kingdom and Stuart Vincent all featured prominently.

Pearson scored four tries and kicked four conversions.

Hooper added three tries, Kingdom three, and Vincent one, with Johnson kicking three conversions.

South Hams’ next match will be on January 10 against Salcombe as part of the Twomeads club’s centenary celebrations.

Salcombe A 10 pts

Ivybridge Vandals 6

Salcombe’s biggest problem was the sheer size of the Vandals pack, whose extra weight made possession scrappy throughout.

The Salcombe backs, however, played extremely well, with the new partnership of Hodder and Hodge looking particularly promising.

Rothwell scored a try which Johnson converted. Ivybridge replied with two penalties to take the lead.

Five minutes from time Salcombe secured victory when Paul went over for the winning try.

Support your local team!!

Prince Rock 15 pts

Salcombe 9

Although Salcombe took their leave of the Devon Cup for another season, they did at least repair some of the damage done to their confidence the previous day at Kingsbridge.

The pack in particular raised their play to a standard which caused the strong Prince Rock team a great many problems before they finally clinched victory.

The two tries they did score came by way of handling errors by the Salcombe backs which allowed the sharper Prince Rock threequarters to take full advantage.

Salcombe scored a try through Brian Cooper and Jonathan Dornom kicked a conversion and penalty.

Worthy of mention for the visitors was Tony Paul, who did a remarkable job at scrum half considering he is normally part of the pack, and wing forward Kevin Davidson.

A larger disappointment for the Salcombe team was the lack of support they received in what was an important match. They will be hoping for more tomorrow at Twomeads when Ivybridge are the visitors for a vital South Hams Cup match. Kick off is at 2.30 pm.

Salcombe A 4 pts

Seale Hayne Seconds 3

Salcombe overcame a Seale Hayne team containing several first teamers and the shock of seeing Ian Hatch sent off for allegedly punching an opponent to continue their quite remarkable run of success.

Although there were no points on the board at the interval there had been no shortage of running rugby.

In the second half Seale Hayne battled well and took the lead with a penalty, but Salcombe were not to be beaten and went close on many occasions before Tony Paul touched down for the winning try.

SALCOMBE DOUBLE UP

Teignmouth A 7 pts

Salcombe 18

Salcombe gained their first double of the season thanks to a spirited second‑half performance which overwhelmed the home team.

The match was played in a clinging quagmire which Salcombe found restricting in the early stages and which the home team used to help their spoiling tactics.

Although Salcombe twice took the lead with a Dornom penalty and then a drop goal from Lidstone, Teignmouth forced their way into an interval lead with a try scored by the tight‑head prop after a scramble near the line, and a penalty.

There was a question mark regarding Salcombe’s commitment during the first half, but certainly not after the break.

Teignmouth kicked off into Salcombe territory, but rarely crossed the halfway line for the remainder of the match.

It was all Salcombe and it came as no surprise when Lidstone scythed through the home defence for the first try.

Squire and Brimacombe ran strongly at centre, using the endless stream of second‑phase possession produced by the forwards, who by this time were in top gear.

With Dornom coming into the line an overlap frequently gave the wingers room to move and both Smith and Gibbens made the most of it to score tries.

Lidstone was unfortunate to see a wide penalty hit a post, but the disappointment was only momentary and Salcombe went on to dominate the rest of the encounter.

Friday, February 5, 1982

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Teignmouth A 4 pts

Salcombe 24

Only in the final 10 minutes did Salcombe play anything like a team, adding a further 12 points to give the scoreline an unrealistic look.

For the greater part of the 80 minutes Salcombe made heavy weather of a fairly ordinary Teignmouth team.

Salcombe took the lead when Tony Paul made a good break from the halfway line. Although he just failed to make the line, Simon O’Reilly had backed up well and completed the move. Mark Lidstone kicked the conversion and then added a penalty.

Teignmouth came back with a try, only for Lidstone to open the gap with another penalty.

During the final 10 minutes Salcombe at last began to look the part and after good running by the outsides, Bruce Harding took an inside pass to score.

Shortly after, Lidstone took the ball up the loop and went over in a corner.

Salcombe A 9 pts

Jesters A 0

Although full of confidence after two good wins, Salcombe were forced to defend against a strong wind in a scrappy first half.

They held out with a well‑organised defence and some telling tackling and went into the second half determined to make their superior ability count.

Their attacks were soon rewarded with a textbook try. Fly half Nick Smith, making a half break, found Tim Hodder who in turn beat several players before giving James Savery the opportunity to go over. Hodder converted and then increased the score with a penalty.

Chris Hodder’s debut came to an end with a leg injury, but he had done enough to show he will be a useful addition to the team.

Salcombe 24 pts

59 Commando 0

Salcombe’s exceptional season continued with a comprehensive victory over 59 Commando. Their running game was at its best, with forwards and backs combining superbly to dominate throughout.

Tregelles opened the scoring with a strong run, followed by Allen finishing off a flowing movement. Lidstone added another try after persistent pressure, and Squire powered over from close range. Smith completed the tally with a well‑worked effort.

Gibbens converted two of the tries, and the Commando side—despite determined defence—became increasingly frustrated as Salcombe’s teamwork and pace proved too much.

Salcombe A 14 pts

Teignmouth A 8

Despite fielding only 14 players, Salcombe proved too strong for Teignmouth. Tim Hodder opened the scoring after a break by Nick Smith. Teignmouth replied with two unconverted tries.

Simon Kraeter and Mark Hawkins combined for another Salcombe try, which Hodder converted. Marco Brimmacombe added a score on his debut, and Nick Pedley also impressed on his first appearance.

Alan Thomas was selected to represent South Devon Colts after a trial at Paignton.

Prince Rock 25 pts

Salcombe 7

SALCOMBE’s recent run of success was brought to a halt not so much by Prince Rock, but because of their strange lack of fire and aggression. It was strange because of what had gone before.

They did match the opposition in the scrums and line-outs, but what ball they did win was untidy, making life difficult for the half backs. The outsides were hesitant, tending to invite trouble and, to finish off a tale of woe, the tackling was poor.

Salcombe’s only bright spell was shortly after half time when Nick Smith weaved his way through and, with support from the forwards, crashed over for a try to add to an earlier penalty by Chris Johnson.

LUKE’S POWER PAST BRAVE SALCOMBE

Salcombe 3 St Lukes College 53

Brave Salcombe were hammered 53–3 by St Luke’s College in their Devon Knock‑Out Cup quarter‑final match at Twomeads last night — but bigger clubs have gone down to the students in this mood.

Barry Distin, the Devonport Services and Royal Navy player, who has not been in a losing Salcombe side this season, was at sea on HMS Salisbury last night, but even with Distin they could not have altered the result of this attractive battle with the cup‑holders.

Distin hoped to be ashore in time for the match, but his ship was still on sea trials, and Richard Steed came in at centre to join in a plucky Salcombe performance.

The large crowd accepted the inevitable and appreciated the quality of St Luke’s play, especially the strong running of the threequarter line and their development of attacks from every point of the field.

Salcombe full‑back Charles Allen scored the home side’s points with a well‑kicked 30‑yard penalty goal in the second half.

Room to attack

The Salcombe pack worked hard in the tight and got their share of possession in the set scrums, but were beaten in the line‑outs, where St Luke’s had the services of Brian Davis and wing‑forwards who effectively used the short line‑out.

Scrum‑half Alan Pearn added to Salcombe’s covering problems by the length of his service, which gave the St Luke’s attack considerable leeway before Salcombe’s wing‑forwards could come through.

Playing with spirit throughout, Salcombe made a promising start and chased the ball close to the St Luke’s line, but once the college men started winning the rucks the scoring became regular.

Wingers Peter Knight and Graham Angell made powerful runs in the College threequarter line and skipper John Bevan had a successful evening, both in attack and in his place‑kicking.

Salcombe left‑centre Graham Mulligan looked a useful man when given a chance, but these were few, and St Luke’s rarely made mistakes that lived long enough for the opposition to use profitably.

Scorers: 

Salcombe — Allen (pen. goal).

St Luke’s College — Knight, Bevan, and Angell (three tries each), Bevan (seven conversions), Dai Ford, Alan Porter, Paddy Costeloe, and Friel (tries).

SHOWPIECE FINALE TO CENTENARY

Salcombe 18 pts

Devon President’s XV 37

Salcombe’s centenary series of games ended with a well‑attended match full of open, running rugby.

Devon took advantage of their superior fitness and the strong wind at their backs, but Salcombe showed determination throughout.

Mike Allen and Mike Knight were prominent early on, with Crocker and Allen combining well in attack. Butterworth and Stewart also featured strongly for Devon.

Mike Featherstone scored one of Salcombe’s tries after good work by Rob Johnstone, and Chris Johnson added points with accurate kicking.

Coles and Martin were involved in several promising moves, and Alan Thomas produced some spirited running.

Despite Devon’s control in the later stages, Salcombe’s effort and the celebratory atmosphere made it a fitting finale to the club’s centenary.

Friday, May 11, 1984

TWENTY-EIGHT WINS FOR WHIPPING BOYS

NEVER before have Salcombe Rugby Club's A team had such a season. Normally the whipping boys for all teams, a confidence booster for XVs going through a bad time, the Salcombe lads have turned the tables to hammer out some magnificent victories.

The team – average age about 22 – have completed several notable doubles, over Plymouth Argaum, Teignmouth, Jesters, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Exeter Saracens and Bere Alston, and have not lost to the same team twice.

In all, Salcombe A have won 28 of their matches, drawn two and lost five, including, to their disgust, the last one at home which ruined their 100 per cent Twomeads record.

The players consider their best wins to have been over Old Techs (31–6), Plymouth Argaum (9–0), Britannia Royal Naval College (18–0) and Totnes (20–7).

Although much smaller and lighter than a great many of their opponents, the Salcombe players compensated with skill, spirit and an unquenchable enthusiasm.

If the team remains basically the same for next year, Salcombe A could improve a magnificent record still further.

Regulars:

• Adrian Wotton
• Marco Brimmacombe
• Charlie Fraser (captain)
• Simon Rothwell
• Tony Paul
• Simon Trevis
• Trevor Greenwood
• Kevin Rothwell
• Dave Chapman
• Andrew McCormack
• Tim Woodland
• Andrew Shortman
• Peter Allen

Others who played:

• Stuart Read
• Mark Hawkins
• Peter Kemp
• Chris Johnson
• Ian Hatch
• Martin White
• Charlie Scott
• Mark Hamilton
• Hamish Hamilton
• Alan Thomas
• Richard Jellard

THE GAZETTE, FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1971

Salcombe Gain Rugger Revenge After Four Years

Salcombe 15pts

Kingsbridge 3

Conditions were good for the local derby at Twomeads, except for a very strong wind from the east. Kingsbridge, winning the toss, elected to take advantage of this in the first half, and with their pack winning most possession from the set scrums Marsh relied on judicious kicking to pen Salcombe in their own half for the early play until G. Mulligan broke through and threatened danger.

But Warren with a long kick took play back again where Jones, coming too quickly around the scrum, was penalised so Banner placed a fine goal to put Kingsbridge ahead. The Kingsbridge outsides continued to keep Salcombe defending mainly through kicking ahead, but this was a negative form of attack and caused little trouble to the home defence. In spite of Salcombe's hard tackling, Kingsbridge would have done better to run the ball and look for tries, but this they failed to do, whereas Salcombe, when in possession, were always probing. They were rewarded when Cotton collected a kick on his own 25 and, running strongly, opened up for D. Mulligan and Steed to split the defence, resulting in the former taking a return pass to touch down for a fine try.

This score had a stimulating effect on the home side, who were getting more ball, particularly from line-outs and loose. They went all out to harass their visitors. Gray and Pridham led a fine attack by the pack, and when the whistle went for half-time with the score 3–3 it appeared that Salcombe had a firm grip on the game.

PENALISED

From the restart Gray, Foale, Turns and Howard led the home pack in a good rush, and when Kingsbridge were penalised Allen was accurate with his kick. Although having the advantage of the wind Salcombe only used this to kick themselves out of trouble. They concentrated on handling in attack, their forwards continually harassing, rucked well and fed back from good secondary possession at every opportunity.

Hobbs defended gallantly at full-back for Kingsbridge, but Salcombe appeared well on top in all phases of the game. A clean bout of handling to the wing saw Cotton go over in the corner, but as he was touching down a last-ditch tackle by Crane knocked the ball out of his hands.

Jones made an opening for K. and G. Mulligan to combine and the latter cleverly beat the defence to score near the posts. Allen missed the conversion when his kick hit an upright.

DUELS

Kingsbridge came back briefly when Warren won one of the many duels with Jones, and with Emery and Bartlett in support took play near the home line, only for Allen to twice drive them back with huge kicks and then increase the home lead with a penalty goal.

The closing stages saw Kingsbridge defending hard in the face of continuous pressure from an aggressive pack well backed up by outsides who were always looking for scoring chances.

Allen made the game sure for Salcombe with another fine penalty, and Cotton and K. Mulligan were both held near the line before the final whistle, and so Salcombe gained a deserved victory by 15 points to 3.

COACHING DIVIDEND

This was Salcombe's first win over their neighbours for four years and was certainly no fluke. It was the result of good coaching and tactics, and a confident approach, in which they were aided by some uninspiring play from Kingsbridge, which the home back row of Brooks, Pridham and Howard capitalised on to give the backs the second-phase possession so necessary in modern rugby.

The game was played in good spirit throughout, with Kingsbridge finally accepting defeat in a true sporting manner.

Earlier Match Report

Earlier this season Salcombe played a hard and even match with Brixham. On Saturday they had a match with that club's 2nd XV. So, anticipating a fairly easy game, their play suffered accordingly.

It was a game of dropped passes and atrocious handling generally by both sides. A high wind and light ball undoubtedly made passing difficult, but on Saturday players seemed to drop the ball even when it appeared firmly in their hands.

Salcombe's tactics were good. Indeed, some moves were first class, but they all came to nought if the ball was dropped. Had it not been, Salcombe could well have scored 50 points or more, but instead had to be content with winning by 14 points to nil.

D. Mulligan scored a nice try after interpassing with Steed, then Allen put over a couple of penalties before Steed went over in the corner after only the second clean bout of handling throughout the game.