A well attended Veteran’s reunion and pre-match lunch was the start to a successful afternoon and saw a large crowd turn out to watch Tor Firsts versus Winscombe.
Winscombe put the first three points on the board within the first three minutes but Tor replied with a fine try scored by Matt Bisgrove and conversion by Dan Ferriday. The first half progressed with Winscombe putting another three points on the board. Trusty Tor winger Aussie Austwick replying with a try and again Dan Ferriday converting along with a further converted penalty .The first half was marred with Garryn from Tor being sin binned for the second time in three weeks along with two Winscombe players sending Tor in at half time 17 points to 6 ahead.
The second half started the same way as the first with Winscombe adding another three points from a penalty kick. Winscombe came into their own by scoring a try but missing the conversion bringing the score up to 17 to 14.
Good scrummaging from man of the match Mathew Sturges saw Tor take control of the game and further tries scored by Garryn Basson and Alexander Payne with Dan Ferriday converting both.
Tor were victorious with a 31 to 14 win but need to be more clinical with the opportunities given to them and could have killed off the game much earlier.
It was an effective and fit Taunton side that visited Lowerside Park at the weekend and who came away victorious. Tor started again very strong putting the first seven points on the board with fine runs and ball passing between Garant, Matt Hyde and James Austwick who went on to score the try and again the trusty boot of Dan Ferriday completed the conversion.
Tor went on to play some fine rugby with the likes of captain Ashley Lester and old hand Barry Morgan leading from the front and managed to hold out to the 30 minute when Taunton scored 3 points of a penalty. Taunton now feeling better after putting points on the board were driving towards Tor’s try line after the restart. A fine kick from one side of the pitch to the other and well caught by Taunton saw them only having to beat one Tor player and score, which they did and then went onto convert.
Taunton now on a roll scored another try minutes before half time going in at 15 to 7.Tor kicked of the second half which progressed to see Taunton put five more tries and converting only one of them past Tor showing just how fit and well drilled they are. A consolation try was scored by Tor when Alex Payne showing real determination punched a hole in Taunton’s side laid the ball off that went down the trusty hands of Garant, Matt Hyde and out to Aussie Austwick who again crossed the try line and again was converted by Dan Ferriday. Special mention must go to the referee that also had a fine game. Man of the match Alex Payne.
Tor succeeded in a hard fought victory against Chew Valley, narrowly beating their opponents. Team motivation and commitment was commendable, although at times undisciplined. Tor proved the stronger side in the first quarter with strong tackling performances and positioning from Dan Beale, James Allen & Alex Payne. Chew Valley took the first 3 points from a penalty kick against the run of play. Tor were reduced to 14 men, 30 mins into the game when 'G' was binned for passionately pursuing the ref! The second half commenced with Tor restored to fifteen players and followed with some amazing runs from Matt Hyde, Ozzy Austwick & 'G' resulting in the only try of the game from Ozzy and a conversion from Dan Ferriday.
The game proceeded with determination from both sides and Chew claimed a further 3 points from a penalty given away needlessly by Tor and later they skilfully played a drop goal. 10 minutes from the end of the game Dan Ferriday successfully converted a penalty, followed by Tor giving away a further 2 penalties needlessly in the final minutes of the game which Chew were unable to convert, leading to a win that Tor should be proud of. Special mention must go to Des Rowe for another outstanding performance.