Torquay head to Cornwall in high spirits after victory

RUGBY ROUND-UP

Torquay Athletic climbed up to fourth in the Cornwall & Devon table when they beat visiting Bude 43-13.

After the previous Saturday’s slip up against Honiton, the management were looking for a response and got one.

“It was good to bounce back with a five-point win after such a disappointing loss,” said player-coach James Wood.

“We showed a lot more hunger off the ball to get off the line and make our hits which wasn't the case at Honiton.

“Our set piece again was strong and the backline really clicked off front-foot ball.”

Torquay just about shaded the first half in terms of possession and territory and led 22-8 at half time.

Bude were always competitive and enjoyed quite long spells of posession in the second half.

The difference between the sides was Torquay always looked inventive and dangerous with decent ball in hand and when their players put real pace on the match Bude were unable to cope.

That point was made after just three minutes when Torquay left-wing Aaron Graham scooted over in the corner.

Jon Woodhead scored next from a line-out drive and full-back Tom Drake caught a difficult pass then jinked for the line for try number three. Mawgan Penrice converted.

Jake Bury scored the fourth try after fooling the Bude defence with a cute show-n-go.

Bude got back to 22-13 five minutes into the second half. It was as close as they got despite putting Torquay’s defence to the test for some time.

Torquay broke out and play- er-coach Wood scored from distance to make the game safe. Bury scored a second try and Wood bagged a late interception to wrap things up.

It is next stop Liskeard-Looe for the Tics, uncharted territory as the sides have not met in

Torquay and Bude contest a lineout at the Recreation Ground league competition before. The team bus leaves the Recreation Ground at noon on Saturday and supporters are welcome on board.

“This week will be a test as it's out first trip to Cornwall,” said Wood.

“Unfortunately we wil go without a number of first-choice players.

“I think up to six are unavailable, including both half backs and captain Jake Bury.

“One thing we do have this season is depth as we have been getting around 35 to training.

“A few lads will get a chance to come into the team and stake a claim.”

Back at the Recreation Ground the Extras will entertain Plympton-Victoria in a Merit Table Two game.

Paignton will be hoping for a change of fortunes when they host Wadebridge in round four of the Western Counties West season.

The best the Cherries have managed in three previous starts is a 20-20 draw against Tiverton two weeks ago. Last time out they lost 20-12 at Truro.

Paignton are notoriously hard to score against – and four of the 10 teams above them have shipped more points already.

Paignton’s problem is they are having trouble scoring tries themselves. In 270 minutes so far they have only managed one, which was in the draw against Tiverton.

“We need to capitalise and convert opportunities more consistently in the attacking third,” said coach Ben Passenger.

Dave Siddall kicked four penalties for Paignton at Truro – the last after a spell in the sin-bin.

Winless Kingsbridge, beaten 40-12 at Wadebridge, have a High House date with Wellington.

George Banfield and James Trout were the try scorers at Molesworth Field with Thom Leman added one conversion.

Andy Uglow/Pyramid