The Tics took the first of six long trips to Cornwall and returned with a losing bonus point. However, judged against what had happened last season at the same venue and given certain circumstances, this was a commendable performance.
Already injury robbed the side of three front line props and The Tics' were fortunate to have still registered Sonny Rowe available, whilst back in Torquay between jobs. However he may only be available for one more fixture, before moving out of the area again. Fresh out of Colts rugby, normal second rower Adam Dart moved up to the front row, where he has played before on occasions, but it is not his preferred position.
In his place at lock, normal back rower player / Coach Lewis Harben moved up; whilst another back rower, fellow Coach Jake Bury played at No. 10.. All replacements were backs, with a number making their First Team League debuts , including Harvey Piper (ex- Brixham), Mark Williams and No. 9 Neil Johns, who has come over from Teignmouth.
It was a welcoming sight to see Andy Gormley and Jonny Brown putting themselves forward for selection; following concerns that both would be retiring from First Team rugby.
The other debutants were hooker Craig Withers, ex- Weston Hornets, and No.8 Martin Harrison-Brown, newly arrived from Newton Abbot. His influence on the match was huge, matching his substantial physical frame and a combination of home supporters and Lanner players had no hesitation in making him the visitors Man of the Match.
The pitch at Lanner is wide, but short (perhaps as much as 7 metres shorter each half compared with the Rec.) It has a pronounced slope end to end and any side playing first with that slope needs to establish a reasonable lead.
The game was played in cool conditions with considerable cloud cover and the variable wind continued throughout and The Tics, playing with both the slope and a moderate to strong breeze, secured a 0 – 5 half time advantage; which never looked sufficient. However, some dogged defence in the second period by Torquay meant that Lanner's only try actually came from a full length of the pitch break out, with their pacey right wing running fully 80 metres down the touchline.
In addition, Tics' fitness probably played a large part in keeping the score so close; especially as Lanner had no actual pre-season friendly matches under their belts. Conversely, although Torquay had suffered defeats against higher League opposition in Tiverton and Teignmouth those match situations had placed them in a better place, physically.
Not too many Teams will go to Lanner and outmuscle the sturdy home forwards. Indeed, last term even a very impressive and ultimately promoted Honiton lost at this venue.
Tics' dominated territory for the first quarter and had opportunities with three separate 5 metre attacking lineouts; but none of these was capitalised on. Playing at full back Mawgan Penrice kept up the territorial pressure with well judged wind assisted clearance kicking.
However Lanner were by now gaining the upper hand in the set scrums and Tics' defence owed much to Harrison-Brown's ability to pick up behind a retreating eight and still make ground forward.
On 35 minutes a strong 20 metre run by Gormley put Tics' in the red zone and the move was carried on by George Helmore before a knock-on halted progress. However, Tics' remained on the attack and after a hold-up in play for injury to Rowe another 5 metre attacking lineout for Tic's finally bore fruit. A take by Captain Tom Whitford and a driving maul ended with Rowe getting the touchdown, although the wide out conversion was missed . 0 – 5 at half time.
Within one minute of the resumption Tics' suffered a major blow: Bury had already managed two turnovers on the ground but when he went jackalling for a third time he was accidentally caught by a stray boot and retired permanently, with a sizeable bloodied gash to the forehead.
Jonny Brown moved from centre to full back, with Penrice reverting to fly-half. Despite this setback Tics' then drew further ahead when Penrice slotted a penalty kick from the 22' for 0 – 8 in the 48th minute.
Lanner hit back with three points of their own when fly half Nick Prout slotted a drop goal, whilst Lanner were playing “advantage”, so it was 3- 8.
Then for only the first time in the match Tics’ scrum got a shove on and pushed Lanner off the ball. Carries by Johns and hooker Craig Withers got Tics' close to the try line, only to be held up with a resulting scrum to the home side.
Quick ball was then released to the right, where winger Deividas Mecionis immediately recognised a space, put his head down and with his florescent orange boots something of a blur left all defenders for dead. He was able to run round close to the posts, giving Matt Cann an easier conversion to take the lead 10 – 8 with one quarter left to play.
Both sides found it difficult to break through determined defences and were further hampered by basic errors. Tics' will want to improve on their support play running lines, but with so many new faces and others out of position this will hopefully come in future games.
A penalty against Tics' (one of only seven to be conceded by them all afternoon) gave Lanner a close in lineout, but instead of keeping the ball amongst their forwards they spread it to the backs and knocked on. Indeed, it appeared that being the first competitive match of the season both sides were struggling for joined up accuracy to produce continuity.
he final minute saw Tics able to kick to 5 metres out for a lineout, but although the throw was taken Lanner managed to come through the middle, disrupt and the ball dropped harmlessly into touch, signalling the final whistle at 10 – 8.
Next Saturday (KO 3.00 pm) Liskeard-Looe are visitors to the Rec. This will be a sponsors day with many club sponsors coming along.
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