A Bit of a Reality Check

After such a superb performance last week, it was hoped that Torrington R.F.C. would carry that forward into their first away fixture in Devon 1 at Plymstock Albion Oaks R.F.C.. Sadly, this was not to be.

Injuries and non-availability meant that Torrington could only take seventeen players, although most of the squad from last weekend were able to travel, but, there had to be positional changes. Right from the whistle, Plymstock played with great determination placing Torrington on the back foot. Most of the first half was played in the Torrington half, so when they conceded two penalties, Plymstock were able to kick the points. Torrington had little possession and so when Plymstock scored through a well worked try, it was in the run of play. Then Torrington came back into the match, but in many ways the defining point was when Torrington were camped on Plymstock’s 5 metre line. Plymstock infringed repeatedly and one of their players was sin binned. Torrington went for the line out option with the penalties awarded to them, but somehow, on the third occasion the ball squirted out on Plymstock’s side and they managed to clear. Suddenly, Torrington found themselves back in their own half with Plymstock’s prop crashing over for a soft try. Just before the break, Flanked Ollie SCANTLEBURY intercepted a pass and almost made it to the Plymstock line, but he was caught – just. As some consolation, Sam BRITTON licked a penalty to make the score 3 – 18 at the break.

In the second half, Torrington began to get their game going, however, Torrington gifted Plymstock an easy try when the ball was dropped in their in-goal area after Plymstock had counter-attacked and driven Torrington back to their own try line. Torrington stayed in the game, and during a good attack, Sam BRITTON placed a deft kick ahead but was then impeded. Flanker Ollie SCANTLEBURY collected the kick, and had another player in support with the line metres away when the referee brought the play back for the original infringement. Although Sam BRITTON kicked the resultant penalty, the three points seemed an unfair reward for a good passage of play. On another occasion, Sam BRITTON kicked into space on Plymstock’s 22 metre line, with three Torrington players chasing the ball. As the ball landed, it shot straight up so that two of the three Torrington players overran it, with the third Torrington player collecting the ball only to trip over and having to release it, so it was then cleared. This confirmed it was not to be Torrington’s day. Unfortunately, Plymstock scored another try late in the match when their prop again crashed over from short range. This made the final score 6 – 28.

From a Torrington perspective, there can be few complaints. Plymstock Albion Oaks played the better rugby on the day, and good fortune deserted Torrington when they needed a bit of help.