Torquay 21 - 14 Taunton RFC

Taunton's second visit to the seaside in a fortnight ended in another narrow defeat.

Torquay completed the double over Taunton last season. They had not met since a replayed match (by order of the RFU Tribunal) between the sides in April 2003 decided who should be relegated - Torquay lost and spent two seasons in Western Counties (West).

An amalgam of views of visiting supporters was sought after the match and the general opinion was that Taunton had "a bad day at the office".

Taunton conceded far too many turnovers, were out-muscled up front and were unable to break down a brick wall defence. Torquay frequently feigned injury and the refereeing was weak. Other less complementary views were expressed.

Perhaps fans are expecting too much at this early stage. After all, the margin of defeat at Exmouth was just two points and this one, seven, and if bonus points were available as in the national leagues, they would have had one for each match. There is, though, still plenty of room for improvement.

As to the action last Saturday, Taunton fly half John Martin scored all their points by half time when they led 14-13. He landed two penalties before Matt Jackson replied with one.

Adam Last's try and Jackson's conversion put the Tics in front before Martin's third penalty and his try restored the lead. Jackson reduced it to a single point with his second penalty and added a third in the second half.

Taunton wing Sean Bennett was harshly sin binned soon afterwards whilst a Torquay player was fortunate to escape sanction. Matt Williams' try in the corner then ensured Torquay's win.

The United's opponents cried off at noon on match day - another indictment of the mismatched league. For those supporters who stayed at Hyde Park to watch the Fiji-Wales match on the box there was also a Wanderers v Chard III's league game, won by the home side 45pts-20.

Taunton's tries came from Josh Perrin (2), David Webber (2), Mark Winter, Anthony Gothard and Neil Symons. Darren Evans converted five.

One mistake in the World Cup quarter finals forecasts - Fiji, after their nail biting win against Wales, face South Africa. Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are probably favourites to make the semi-finals. But with pre-tournament bets on France to win the Webb Ellis trophy at 7-1 and an each way on England at 33-1, I have to go with them!

Bill Luckett