Our sympathies go to the family and friends of Ollie Marsden from Totnes RFC whose untimely death last week led to the postponement of the league match due to be played on 25th Oct. This is now re-scheduled for 22nd Nov
Honiton 31 Salcombe 8 - played 13/09/08 (match report John Sprague)
The Salcombe players were a little bashful when discussing the game with their traveling support in the bar afterwards which was understandable as there was little in their performance to be happy about. Too many of them seemed to continue with their doze on the bus when on the park; passes were dropped, wrong options taken and too many kicks ended up in the safe hands of the Honiton back three who gratefully showed their pace by scoring four of the five Honiton tries. Look out in future years for the name of Ben Dobson, a winger of exceptional pace whose elusive running made life a misery for the Crabs. Recruited from Sidmouth Colts he scored a hat trick of tries for Honiton and must be likely to move on to higher things than Devon 1.
Salcombe were 5 nil down after only 2 minutes when Honiton had a scrum on Salcombe’s 22 and their No.8 picked up and charged ahead before slipping the ball to their fullback who went over wide out. Salcombe had their moments and put together a few moves which gave hope. Foster had several runs as the Crabs tried to batter their way to the line and Gardiner was unlucky after he intercepted a Honiton pass when he was tackled into touch only inches from the line. But while Salcombe were having their moments Dobson was having a whole afternoon and thanks to 2 tries from him Honiton turned round at half time 17-3 ahead, Salcombe’s only consolation coming from a Davey penalty.
The second half went slightly better for the Crabs and despite Dobson scoring another try early in the half to take the score to 24-3 to Honiton, Salcombe improved somewhat on their sleepy first half performance. The front row of Cater, Elliott and Fenton who had battled well against a much heavier unit took a ball against the head and Rossi at scrum half wisely went blind before passing to fullback Bevan. The fullback put in a searing run to the line to give the Crabs their first try in Devon 1. The home side replied late on when the usually reliable Salcombe lineout made probably their first mistake when close to their own line. The ball fell to Honiton who moved the ball along the backs to score a converted try .
While it is tempting to say that this was a day for the Crabs to forget, they must learn the lessons from it.There was never any build up of momentum in attack as they played a couple of phases well before making some elementary mistake. Kicking needs to have a purpose and Salcombe must be sharper from the very start of the match. This was the second match in succession that the Crabs have conceded a score within the first couple of minutes of the match.
Next week the Crabs travel to fellow promotees St. Columba while the 2nds. Are at home again to Columba 2nds. Both matches kick off at 3.0 pm.
Salcombe 24 Dartmouth 10 - played 06/09/08(match report by John Sprague)
Salcombe 53 New Cross 7 - played 30/08/08
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