Tribute Devon One

Totnes 29,

Salcombe haven't had much away success at Totnes for a few years and the search for a win there continues.

It wasn't an impossible task and at times the Crabs rattled the home side, often looking more dangerous with the ball. But, in the end, a couple of defensive lapses gifted the home side some cheap scores.

The game started in the worst possible way with Totnes taking the lead inside two minutes when Salcombe failed to clear a ball inside their 22.

From the resultant ruck the Totnes centre charged down his opposite number's kick to score out wide.

Salcombe went straight down the field and Rupert Bevan's kick-off chase ended in a big tackle, gifting Salcombe attacking ball. The pressure from Salcombe told and they were awarded a penalty that fly-half Chris Drew just put wide.

Midway through the half, Salcombe were reduced to fourteen players as second row Sean Baker was sin binned. Totnes missed a couple of penalties but soon crossed the try line through their powerful scrum-half.

At 10-0 down at half time there was still plenty of optimism that the Crabs could pull the score back.

The line-out was functioning well and the backs were having success each time they had the ball. However, losing possession in contact and throwing loose passes came back to haunt them several times.

With the next score crucial, Totnes's powerful centre broke a tackle in midfield and raced clear. He found support and they forced a score in the corner after beating the last man.

At 15-0 the Crabs immediately hit back. Drew's switch kick-off was excellently caught by Mikey Thurlow, who fed captain Stuart Winzer. Winzer drew the defence and sent Oli Masters racing down the touchline.

With the try line at arm's length, Masters was high tackled by the last defender.

Bemusingly, no penalty try or a yellow card was given when the try was a certainty. It wasn't long before Salcombe turned pressure into points after a series of powerful drives when Ian Smerdon crashed over. Drew added the extras.

Totnes responded with a seven pointer of their own again. Oli Masters did get his score in the end after he finished off a slick backs handling move to score wide out. The extras were missed but the game was still on.

Totnes had the final score, though, their player raced under the posts from a kick.

While disappointed with the first half showing, Salcombe can be upbeat with how they took on the league leaders and aspects of play in the second half.

Salcombe's man-of-the-match was flanker James Palmer, who broke holes in the opposition defence every time he carried the ball. This Saturday sees Salcombe travel to Dartmouth for a friendly.