Final score: Torquay Athletic 38-8 Withycombe RFC (5-8 HT)

With the Withies taking to the road for the second to last time this season, the boys would be looking to keep up the tempo from last weekend.

As the game got underway, they had the perfect start as some early dominance from the kickoff gave the boys a penalty right in front of the posts for a quick and simple 3-point lead inside the first minute of the game.

However, Torquay struck back almost immediately as they themselves were awarded a couple of penalties to take them back into the Withy 22' and with the chip kick finding its intended target, Torquay went in at the corner for the opening try of the match.

As the usual pattern tends to form, following an initial flurry of activity, play settled down leading to some mixed play and although Withy weren't able to get much time on the ball, they were defending well and making some promising moves up field when in possession.

With the opening thirty minutes coming to an end, Tom Cooke made good use of the downfield wind to earn the boys a 50:22 line out deep inside the Tics' 22'; with a well worked maul taking the boys closer to the line, Torquay infringe and cough up the penalty, which was kicked to touch for another line out.

With this one coming from closer range, the boys began to knock at the door – suddenly the ball went blind and launched over the line, George Doughty the scorer.

With the clock on the red, it was the hosts that were pressuring the line with penalty advantage, however with some backchat happening from the home camp, the referee reversed the decision, handing Withy the penalty.

The ensuing kick, line-out and further excellent play saw Withy troubling the line once again, however unfortunately nothing came of the opportunity and the half was brought to a close with Withy holding a slender 5-8 lead.

The second half got off to a flying start for the boys as they once more began to pressure the Torquay line, this time unfortunately the ball was held up, denying Withy early points and a chance to extend the lead.

The Withies continued to keep the hosts under pressure for the remainder of the third quarter but were unable to capitalise on the possession and turn the pressure into points. This was hampered further when Tom Cooke was sent to the sin bin for appealing some off-the-ball antics by Torquay who began to feel the pressure and were desperate to come back fighting from their heavy defeat to Topsham last weekend.

The extra man advantage turned out to be perfect for Athletic too as a cross-field kick exposed the gap left by Cooke to allow them an easy-in and handed them back the lead.

With the score line back in their favour and Withy starting to tire, Torquay made the most of their substantial weight advantage to control the game through the forwards and by doing this, would break open gaps to allow opportunities for the backs, scoring three more tries in fairly quick succession.

With the game now deep into added time, Withycombe looked to be able to get the final score as they once again battered the line, phase after phase of good play helped the boys build in confidence, but in a bitter twist of awful luck, the ball was intercepted inches from the line to allow the hosts a 100m sprint and one final try to end the game with the final score Torquay Athletic 38, Withycombe 8.

More heartbreak for Withy who have certainly felt the pressures of injury, illness and unavailability throughout the second half of the season. However, there is still a lot to be commended by the boys who are able to play, give it their all and honour every fixture, win lose or draw.

There's another week off next weekend and a chance for hopefully more players to return before we welcome North Tawton to Raleigh Park in a fortnight. Kickoff for that game will be at the slightly earlier time of 2pm.