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Saltash - 19 vs. Devonport Services - 17
(Aug 29, Friendly) This encounter was the third and final of Saltash RFC's trial games preparing them for a long season ahead which sees them play 27 league games, starting with Liskeard Looe on the 5th September. With the usual format of 4, 20 minute quarters for the trial match, Devonport Services started the brighter of the two teams playing much of their rugby in the Saltash half. This pressure was rewarded 10 minutes in when Kyle Browne went in under the posts, cutting a a good line through the Saltash defence, with Mat Anstis slotting the conversion. Services continued to threaten Saltashs line and were once again rewarded in the 32nd minute when number 8 Ed Court finished off a sweeping move and with the conversion missed the score moved to 12-0 to Services. Against the run of play Saltash found themselves on the Services 22 metre line and after a messy patch of rugby, some quick hands through the backs, saw Jo Skinnard scamper through the defense to score a well taken try 10 metres to the right of the posts. Jo went on to add the conversion to his efforts. Score, Services 12, Saltash 7. Saltash began to find their form in the third quarter and with some sustained pressure, Brian Venables picked from the base of the scrum 15 metres out to bundle over the line to the right of the posts, and with the missed conversion the scoreboard moved to 12 a piece. Saltash now going up the hill and into a stiff breeze, Services pinned them back into the corner. In the 49th minute, straight off the top of a lineout, Carl Ranscombe benefitted from a well worked Services move to cut back inside the 10 channel and find himself over the try line. With the conversion missed, 17-12 to Services. Saltash regrouped after this and saw them dominate the final quarter of the match. Camped in the Services 22 for much of this period, and winning many of the Services srums as well as their own, Tod Croft almost broke passed his opposite number at 10, only to offload to Richard Skinnard cutting a good line and diving under the posts. With conversion taken by Tod Croft, the score is now 19-17 to Saltash in the 75th minute. Services had a chance to take the match 3 minutes later with a penalty kick wide out on the left, but the chance was missed. Full time, Devonport Services 17, Saltash 19. Team: 1: Neil Grose 2: Ryan Rayner 3: James Rich 4: Tom Rixson 5: Dave Ryland 6: Steve Hillman 7: Neil Williams 8: Brian Venebles 9: Jeff Thompson 10: Joe Skinnard 11: Rob Wooldridge 12: Alan Sullivan 13: Stuart Heale 14: Will Morton 15: Rich Skinnard Reps: M.Coutes, R.Eatwell, S.Kelly, R.Allen, S.Down, L.Wells, T.Croft |