PLYMOUTH TITANS 18-16 DEVON SHARKS

With everyone who braved the gale force winds and lashing rain deserving a medal for their dedication, the Plymouth Titans took a giant step towards the end of season play offs with an 18-16 over the Devon Sharks , but they came within a foot or so of dropping a vital point.

On a day when, at times, standing upright was a problem, the kickers of both sides, Matt Anstis of the Titans and Sharks’ Matt Jackson coped admirably.

Anstis converted three from three and Jackson kicked his first two attempts but his third, from wide out on the left touchline just failed to curl in on the wind and secure a share of the points.

Despite the treacherous conditions the game was free flowing in the first half with some sweeping passing moves from both sides but it was Anstis who opened the scoring, converting his own try after eight minutes and second rower Paul Cioffi extended the Titans lead following a four man inter - passing move which saw the South of England representative wriggle over despite the attentions of three Sharks defenders.

When Gavin Boak crashed over after following the play and latching onto a pass just short of the line on twenty minutes, Anstis’ goal stretched the Plymouth lead to 18-0 and with the conditions worsening the strong defence on both sides ensured there was no more scoring before the half time break.

The Sharks opened the second period strongly and England Lionheart, Matt Jackson rounded the Titans left side defence to touch down ten metres in from touch, then converted to give the visitors hope of a fightback.

As the spectators shivered in the wind and rain, the players kept warm with some hard hitting defence, one particular effort from Titans Kyle Browne resulting in two Sharks players needing attention from the physio.

With play becoming more stop -start due to the slippery ball and fatigue of the players, scoring chances were few and far between with play concentrated mainly between the two twenty metre lines though the Titans had two close calls, Brad Hart being hauled down just short of the line and another effort being ruled out for a knock on from a dummy half scoot by Martin Browne.

Matt Allinson was next to score for the visitors with Jackson again tagging on the extras with ten minutes to go after another raid down the Titans left side diving over near the flag.

The Titans were under pressure now and seemed to have weathered the storm until with the last play of the game, Jackson received the ball in midfield, twenty metres out and put in a kick to the wing which Rory Williams dived for, caught and slid over in one movement to leave the result dependent on Jackson’s last kick of the game.

Allowing for the wind, Jackson kicked left of the posts but the gale didn’t drift the ball as far as was required and sailed wide of the posts as referee Jeff Schofield of Warrington blew for time and awarded the vital two competition points to the Titans.

With the East Devon Eagles winning 48-20 at home to the Somerset Vikings, they seem certain to win the minor premiership with the Titans and Vikings set to battle for the second place spot and a home semi final.

PLYMOUTH TITANS:  Phil Warby, Ian McCormack, Kyle Browne, Andy Hodges, Ben Kirby, ben Hannaford, Matt Anstis, Dave Shepherd, Billy Stockwell, Declan Sexton, Paul Cioffi, Gaz Williams, Martin Browne, Gavin Boak, Jamie Miles, Jack Martin, Jamie Levitt- Harris, Adam Wilkinson, Matt Tichias, Brad Hart.

Tries: Anstis, Cioffi, Boak    Goals: Anstis (3)

DEVON SHARKS: Edward Cribb, Olly Hill, Nikgel Southcombe, Phil Maddick, Matt Allanson, Matt Jackson, Ben Lovell, Russell Morris, Dan Taylor, Stuart Kingsley, George Mills, John Lansin, Dan Williams, Steve Ward, Richard Reid, Ross Fletcher Peel, Dan Davis, Rory Willaims, Alex Byatte

Tries: Jackson, Allanson, Williams   Goals: Jackson (2)