Sat 28 Sep 2019
A sound all-round performance brought Torquay Athletic this local derby win against their rivals from just down the round by a comfortable margin.
It took a while for Paignton to get into the game territorially in the first half, but they enjoyed at least an equal measure of possession and territory in the second period.
Nevertheless, Torquay seemed to possess more options, especially up front and if the Cherries had not managed to spoil Tics' lineout ball on a number of occasions there is an argument for saying that more than the four bonus point tries to the hosts may have emerged.
In the set scrums Torquay were not under any significant pressure; indeed, they were able to push back the visiting eight on occasions, but coughed up two penalties for illegal wheeling and at least one free kick for early engage. Paignton's lineout ball worked well, mainly off the top, but their attacks from this source were largely blunted by a resolute home defence.
Tics' tactical kicking from hand was superior, notably from full back Mawgan Penrice and (following his introduction early in the second half) recent returnee to the ranks, James Wood.
The match was played in still, overcast conditions with a dry surface, despite recent heavy rainfall and thankfully the forecast of persistent rain held off until the match was over.
Prop Sonny Rowe was unexpectedly around, having been due to return to Loughborough after the North Tawton win. With the return of No. 9's Gavin Blacoe and Neil Johns, plus three quarter Wood, allied to the availability of the versatile George Helmore the Coaches and Team Captain had a few selection conundrums to solve – but not of the usual kind in having to search round for covering squad members, who might have been asked to play out of their normal position (as against North Tawton the week before). Instead a surfeit of choices meant that the Extras could go to Queens' Park with a squad of over 25 for an early kick-off friendly.
This was the first League match between the Clubs since the 2017 / 18 season, during which Tics had recorded a “double,” albeit that their narrow away win by 8 – 9 had been a match which the Cherries had rather conspired to lose, as opposed to being outplayed by Tics'. The return at Torquay was won by a four try to one margin (22 – 8,) in which, contrary to the game at Queen's Park, the Torquay pack had dominated.
As to this current encounter: A Paignton high up and under in the first minute was spilled and then Tic's went offside to present No. 15 Mike Sandercock with a kick on his favoured side, as a left footer, from just inside the 10 metre line, which he slotted for 0 – 3.
From the Torquay re-start Cherries fielded but then kicked straight out giving Torquay a lineout position 8 metres outside the opposition 22' and the chance to show early attacking intent. Carries by Martin Harrison-Browne, Andy Gormley and Rowe took the ball forward and then Jake Bury kicked to 5 metres out, but Paignton's lineout was clean and they cleared the danger.
Having dominated possession in the first seven minutes Torquay then infringed at the first set scrum, with what was deemed an illegal wheel. Penrice then returned a Paignton kick ahead with interest, putting the ball 10 metres out on the right. His boot was in action again shortly after as Cherries went offside just in front of their posts and then conceded a further 10 metres because of querying the decision. Penrice's penalty success thus became a formality, so it was 3 – 3 in the 13th minute.
A strong run down the left by home wing Luke Hedges took him some distance up to the opposing 22', where he lost his footing and so the attack petered out.
Twenty minutes had elapsed as Paignton started to get more into the contest before they gave away a third penalty and a straight shot by Penrice 32 metres out gave Tics' a 6 – 3 lead in the 23rd minute.
The next penalty came against Torquay for failure to release the tackled man, but Sandercock's effort from his “wrong” side went to the left of the posts. This was followed on the half hour by the first injury stoppage and Lloyd Penhalagan limping off with a twisted knee. The popular prop has not had the best of fortune in injury terms in recent times and he would not return.
The reliable Adam Dart moved up from the second row and Helmore came into the back row, where he would display his usual high octane energy. Meanwhile Paignton made two pack changes, including the withdrawal of hooker James Sach, although he would later return on the flank and score Cherries only try of the match.
Then a left footed pump by centre and Skipper Steve Worth put Paignton back in the Torquay 22' and he was backed up when his lineout jumper stole the resulting Torquay lineout ball for a second time.
When Torquay returned to the attack and following several pick and go's close to the Cherries 22’ a visiting hand in the ruck gave Penrice the chance to put the penalty 6 metres out from the try line on the right. A clean catch by Browne, but the initial drive was held by Paignton, until many of the Tics' threes' joined in and managed to edge Lewis Harben over the line beneath a heap of bodies.
The try was converted by Penrice for 13 – 3 in the final minute of time added on. Thus the half time score line just about fairly reflected events so far.
Early after the resumption runs through centrefield by Browne, switching the ball to Dart, provided promise, especially when the latter gave a sumptuously deft back of the hand flick pass to hooker Craig Withers. Dart has made an excellent transition from Colts to Senior rugby and has given a series of mature and solid performances, whether at his preferred lock position or in the front row at prop.
The move was halted short of the 22', but at the cost of a penalty against Paignton. So Penrice kicked to within 6 metres out on the right. However, Cherries then again successfully denied Tics' clean lineout ball and subsequently ripped back possession to clear. Next another Penrice penalty kick from hand returned Torquay to the opposing 22.'
Pressure mounted on the visitors during a period of Tics' phase play resulting in three penalties conceded in quick time and then a penalty try in the 52nd minute as Paignton were found to have collapsed a maul to the try line. So it was 20 – 3.
This was followed by a thrilling break-out try from Tics' 22' started with the catch of a Paignton cross kick at full gallop by right wing Tom Drake. He set off down the right touchline and then on the opposite 22' found a supporting run inside by Wood – the latter using his rugby tuition to read the developing situation.
There was still work to do, but Wood generally knows his way to the try line from this distance and weaved his way around three defenders to dot down for a 25 – 3 lead in the 56th minute.
The Cherries re-start kick failed to go the required 10 metres and after a centre spot scrum back Wood planted a well weighted chip kick into touch again inside Paignton’s 22.' Gormley, who had earlier limped off returned in place of Jack Keiller and as the match entered the final quarter Johns came on at No. 9 with Blacoe reverting to a wing position.
Then two penalties in quick succession against Torquay (one for a high tackle) gave momentum and field position to Paignton 5 metres out. A set lineout move with the ball moved quickly back to the touchline came to nothing but another Tics' offence in the 66th minute saw a yellow card for Rowe under the totting up procedure and further encouragement for the Cherries.
Tics then defended a large number of attacking phases as Paignton showed patience and good ball retention. Finally, Sach squeezed over in the left corner for 25 – 8 with ten minutes remaining.
Torquay then wheeled another scrum as Rowe returned. A ninth penalty award to Paignton for Tics' coming in at the side of a maul put Paignton only 7 metres out, but following a successful lineout the ball carrier was held up and from the resulting scrum Torquay cleared their lines.
However, another Tics' high tackle as Paignton appeared to be in the ascendancy, until a black and white shirt stole the ball and Wood cleared from one 22 line to the other. After another Paignton sortie into Tics' half the dying moments saw Gormley and Wood with carries to create space and set up an attack down the left.
This time a series of pick and go's ended with Rowe diving through a mass of bodies to touch down and Mr. Andy Coles OBE, who had enjoyed a fine match, signaled a try for a final score of 30 – 8, allowing home supporters bragging rights; at least until the return fixture in January.
TORQUAY TEAM:
15 – Mawgan Penrice, 14 – Luke Hedges, 13 – Andy Gormley, 12 – Jack Keiller, 11 – Tom Drake, 10 – Jake Bury, 9 – Gavin Blacoe,
1 – Lloyd Penhalagan, 2 – Craig Withers, 3 – Sonny Rowe, 4 – Tom Whitford (Capt.),
5 – Adam Dart, 6 – Nathan Pring, 7 – Lewis Harben, 8 – Martin Harrison-Browne.
Replacements (all used): George Helmore, Neil Johns, James Wood.
