Scrummage proves decisive for Winscombe

The Winscombe scrum held firm in an excellent victory at Tor.

Tor 13 pts

Winscombe 20 pts

THE game started well for Winscombe when the Tor kick-off went straight into touch and four minutes later the visitors were 7-0 up when Owen Howell touched down and converted.

Tor responded and twice had set pieces five metres from the Winscombe goal line, but the midfield defence held firm as it did for most of the game despite being often under pressure from the powerful Tor back row.

Winscombe made a clean line break with Howell putting George House away, but the final pass went astray and the Tor centre replied with an unconverted try.

Tor again won a set piece within five metres of the try line, but could not breach the midfield and Louis Hooper relieved the pressure with a good kick to touch.

The Winscombe pack had already shown dominance in the scrummage with two heels against the head and now scored two push-over tries, No 8 Ollie Jones being the scorer both times.

The Tor outside-half had kicked well for territory, as did his opposite number, but Winscombe’s defensive clearing kicks from Howell and Hooper were superior and both these tries followed poor kicks that allowed James Flower and then House to force the infringement.

With the score at 5-17 just before half-time, Tor tried to create an attacking position through the boot, but young Cam Lapes, making his debut at full-back, was secure under the high ball.

Tor took command in the third quarter during which they scored a try and a penalty goal to bring the score back to 13-17.

The momentum was still with the home side when one of their players fractured his ankle and the game was held up for five minutes. After the restart, Winscombe regrouped for the final 15 minutes, and when they forced a penalty House dropped a goal from in front of the posts while the advantage was played for a hard-fought win.