Taunton RFC 13 - 9 Torquay

Taunton kept their bid for promotion on track with this gritty, dogged performance against fourth placed Torquay, gaining sweet revenge for their 14-21 defeat at the seaside in September.

It was a fascinating arm wrestle for much of the game but was spoilt by inept refereeing. The Buckingham Society official seemed oblivious to blocking and pushing in lineouts and collapsing of scrums by the Torquay props who were constantly under pressure.

He was also too easily swayed by "advice" from visiting players. Streetwise, they also spent so much time on the deck with minor knocks, often at times to thwart Taunton's momentum, that Mr. Bennett was forced to add 10 minutes extra to each half.

But Taunton overcame all these obstacles and were worthy winners. More good news came with the final whistle - league leaders, Exmouth had lost at Brixham and were now just 3 points ahead of Taunton. Barnstaple won comfortably at Hornets and remain a point behind Taunton.

Torquay were first on the scoreboard from a Matt Jackson penalty in the 14th minute. Taunton hit back but were frustrated several times near the Tics' try line.

Jackson landed two more penalties in the 30th and 40th minutes, the latter when Scott Rylance's sin-binning had reduced them to 14 men.

Taunton's skipper Pieter Tosen joined him 5 minutes later, which preceded a huge tackle by Alan Gill, forcing the replacement of his opposite number. This seemed to lift Taunton's spirits and an excellent handling movement between backs and forwards produced the only try of the match with the last action of the half.

Tight head prop Chris Phillips, playing his 150th 1st XV match, dived under the posts, stand off Jon Martin converted and there were just two points in it at the change of ends.

10 minutes into the second half, Taunton took the lead for the first time when Martin slotted a penalty after Torquay prop Nick Gill was yellow carded. He added another shortly afterwards but was unable to find the target with two more efforts.

Taunton rarely let Torquay out of their own territory from then on but could not find a way through to the try line. Fortunately they had done enough.

Five games left:- St. Mary's, Hornets and Yatton away, and Exmouth and Brixham at home.

Match sponsor: Hugh Duder, County Stores. Ball Sponsor: Mark Pavey, Vivary Arms.

P.S. Taunton prop, David Morton, has been selected for Scotland's U/19 team to play Italy in Milan on Saturday.

Bill Luckett