Tribute Devon one

Totnes 22

On balance the visitors deserved this win at Twomeads, although if the game had gone on much longer Salcombe's obvious superior fitness and domination in the pack might have won it for them. As it was the Crabs scored two tries, one converted, in the last five minutes and were close to the line when the full-time whistle put an end to proceedings.

Salcombe played against the strong wind in the first half, which saw Totnes take firm control when, inside the first 15 minutes, they scored a good try from a rolling maul following a lineout and a penalty to put them 0-8 up.

At this point one of the Totnes players broke his knee and could not be moved while the ambulance was called. This resulted in a break in play of an hour and it was questionable whether the game could be completed in sufficient daylight. The ref is to be congratulated on deciding to continue.

On its resumption the Crabs pressed hard but rarely looked like scoring, despite a couple of impressive line breaks from Chris Drew, who rightly was the Crabs' man of the match.

Totnes then put together a beautiful move that let their centre in for the try, which they converted to go 0-15 up. Salcombe responded strongly and, following one of Drew's breaks and good forward control, they established themselves close to the visitors' line.

After being awarded a penalty, Salcombe opted for the scrum and the hoped-

for pushover, but Totnes managed to wheel the scrum, albeit illegally, and Salcombe went for the same option – again with the same result. While a third attempt might have produced a penalty try if Totnes had infringed again, time for the half had run out and the ref warned Salcombe that there was only time for the kick, which Drew slotted to make the half-time score 15-3 to Totnes.

The second half started in the gathering dusk and for the first 20 minutes was largely uneventful: Totnes defended well against increasing Salcombe pressure. Then, against the run of play, the Totnes wing intercepted a pass and went almost the length of the pitch to score under the posts, taking their lead to 22-3.

Salcombe did not allow their heads to go down and, with their pack pushing Totnes all over the place, they again opted for a penalty scrum, this time keeping it straight for Captain Stuart Winzer at number eight to touch down. Drew converted for 10-22 and the losing bonus point looked possible.

The kick-off went in to the ever-safe arms of Sean Baker, who fed fellow second row Scott Lowry. Lowry then made a 35-yard break, brushing aside would-be tacklers before passing to centre James Palmer, who in turn slipped the ball to prop Darren Clarke. Clarke drew the final defender before handing the ball to son Lee at scrum half, who touched down flamboyantly wide out. Drew's kick hit the upright, but at least the bonus point had been secured.

While the pack was outstanding, the three new youngsters in the Salcombe side all played well, Jay Hannaford at flanker and Marco Alfano-Rogers on the wing, who both were in the starting line-up, and Will Pike, who came on as a replacement on the wing.

This may be a difficult season for Salcombe, but with youngsters of this

calibre joining them, the future looks brighter.

This week the firsts are away again at Topsham in the semi-final of the Devon Vase; kick-off is at 2.30pm.