Salcombe Vs Old Technicians

Salcombe came into what is always a tough fixture under difficult circumstances. Results since January had been largely negative with injuries, cancelled training and unavailability really taking their toll and dogged performances often not getting the bounce of the ball that their endeavour may have deserved. Largely however the Crabs would be the first to admit that since Boxing day they have not met their own standards with sufficient frequency to feel good about the current league position.
 
With this is mind a squad of 17 (including a bench with a combined age of over 100) assembled early on Saturday to try and make sense of the afternoon and style a coherent plan in order to arrest this mini slump and make good the final quarter of the season. 
Salcombe got off to a decent start controlling much of the early line out and easily getting parity against a larger pack who had sought to dominate Salcombe in the reverse fixture. This territory was capitalized upon with a kicked penalty by Lee Clarke to bring up an early lead. More territory and possession saw co-captain Dave Evans playing out of position at outside centre make 3 incursions into the Tech’s half with the opposition midfield really struggling to pick up his runs. One such line break on the opposition 22 saw him unluckily brought down just shy of the 5 meter line only for Charlie Rawlinson to appear ghost like on his shoulder to collect the pop pass to go under the posts.

Old Tech’s responded shortly thereafter following multiple penalties conceded by Salcombe by scoring in the corner, they then doubled that advantage to take the lead with a converted score making it 10-12. This time it was the home team’s turn to respond even with a man in the bin they were able to manoeuvre themselves into the corner thanks to poor discipline from the visitors. The resulting lineout saw the ball bobble around only for the returning Toby Woods – out since December with a troublesome groin, pluck the ball from the air and force himself over the line. The conversion was good and half time brought about a lead of 17 – 12 albeit with a tougher second half to come.
 
Into the increasingly powerful wind, momentum for Salcombe was hard to come by, another penalty from Clarke edged the Crabs further ahead but this lead was narrowed again by another Technicians converted try, similar to all those that had gone before and one that Salcombe should have been wise to. As the light began to fall so did the red mist, several yellow cards were dished out breaking up the game forcing the visitors to try something different. This slight air of desperation played into Salcombe’s hands and despite conceding a further try they managed to protect the lead with a brilliantly worked push over try and a second for Woods whilst the opposition pack were down on numbers. With a one point lead Salcombe held out for the win, a win that will hopefully instil some confidence going into the business end of the season.

Notable performances from three returning players, scrum half George Willmott, back row/hooker Woods and newly married Mark Parnowski – making his first appearance of the season in the unfamiliar role of flanker. Man of the Match however went to Clarke playing in the 10 shirt and kicking the match winning points when it mattered most and the pressure on.
 
The playing squad would like to thank as always the staff and volunteers behind the bar and kitchen, the referee and of course Old Tech’s. The players would also like to thank the brave crowd for ignoring the weather forecast to cheer on the Crabs. A further week off next week before a trip to Tavistock in early March where Salcombe can continue to make sure this season ends on a succession of highs before heading off on their European tour.