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barnesplumbing.co.uk Devon County Challenge Cup Final EAST DEVON EAGLES 20-31 WALKABOUT PLYMOUTH TITANS |
Plymouth Titans were crowned Devon Rugby League Champions for the first time since 1992 following a backs to the wall effort at Exmouth's Imperial Ground where, despite whatever the opposition, the refereee and even the weather could throw at them, they produced a memorable performance to return home with the barnesplumbing.co.uk Devon County Rugby League Challenge Cup - revenge for last year's defeat at the hands of the East Devon Eagles..
The game was delayed for half an hour due to traffic congestion on the M5 caused by the torrential rain and, despite the conditions, both sides played some excellent football.
Both sides opened with attacking plays and it was ten minutes before the deadlock was broken, Titans centre Paul Ansell was penalised for a high tackle on Eagles forward Tony Emmins and three tackles later, Jonny Boltrukiewicz crashed over under the posts to give Richard Cadywould an easy conversion and the hosts a 6-0 lead.
Titans regained the ball from the restart, James Holman unable to hold on to Matt Anstis' kick and from the scrum, loose forward Martin Browne went on his own and made twenty metres progress, Gaz Williams made ten more metres on the second tackle and from the play the ball, quick hands fed Anstis who dived over in the left corner for a quick repost.
Anstis composed himself and slotted over the goal to level the scores at 6 all.
Despite the wind and rain and slippery ball, those who had braved the elements were being entertained by some exciting football and Anstis gave Plymouth the lead with a penalty goal before the Eagles replied through an Emmins try from a Cadywould offload, 12-8.
Again, Plymouth forced an error from the restart, Anstis finding touch with his kick off and pounding the defence from the scrum, Paul Cioffi and Gaz Williams leading the way and forcing a line drop out when Easts full back Garry Hooper was tackled in goal trying to retrieve Anstis' last tackle grubber.
From the drop out, England Lionheart Matt Tichias crossed for his first of the evening to level the scores, Anstis adding the extra two.
The game was fast and furious with hard running Titans Declan Sexton and Dave Shepherd's efforts being matched by Eagles Emmins, Andy Melbourne and Dave McCarthy.
Easts took advantage of their one man advantage after Cioffi was sin-binned for laying on in the tackle almost immediately restoring their lead through Jack Downie, who scampered down the right wing to score following good work by Emmins and Sean Lovett from a scrum.
Titans held on for the rest of the sin bin period, but on Cioffi's return, they were again reduced to twelve when Australian referee Steve Davis binned halfback Billy Stockwell for not standing square at the play the ball.
Despite the one man disadvantage, Plymouth attacked strongly, the introduction of Gavin Boak causing problems in midfield and surging runs by Cioffi, Williams and Martin Browne providing the platform for Tichias to score his second try of the night and send the Titans in at half time four points ahead.
The Titans' strong defence was starting to dominate the Eagles, forcing errors and providing opportunties in attack. Ten minutes into the second period, Boak broke through the defensive line to score and he could have added a second shortly after but his touchdown was disallowed for a forward pass.
The visitors continued to press the Eagles line and Anstis added a point with a drop goal to extend the gap to 27-14 meaning the home side needed to score at least three times to win.
Tichias almost bagged his hat trick with a clever kick and chase but he was hauled down just short of the line, the first of a number of close calls as the scrambling Eagles defence just about held out. Eventually, the line broke and Boak scored his second with a blind side run to the corner and lead was now 31-14.
Titans punishing defence and hard work in attack had given them a comfortable cushion but with thoughts to the previous three games against the Exmouth side which saw the Green and Blacks throw away seemingly match winning leads, none of the small band of Plymouth supporters were counting their chickens just yet.
Prop Dave Shepherd ruptured knee ligaments and as the Titans tired, the eagles began to mount raid after raid on the Plymouth line. McCarthy wriggled over out wide on the left to make the score 31-20 and they almost had another when full back Dave Hall lost the ball in the tackle following a high Cadywould kick but the touch judge ruled a knock on and the Titans were home and, despite the weather, dry.
Titans stand off Matt Anstis was awarded the "Man of Steel" trophy as man of the match for his try, five goals and a drop goal as well as his tactical kicking throughout the game though it was a team effort as coach Rob Stockwell was keen to point out.
"I'm very proud of the boys, we completed our sets of six tackles and the guys did everything I asked of them in defence. We picked up a couple of knocks but everyone kept going. I would also like to thank everyone from Plymouth who turned up to support us."
The win ended a three match run of defeats at the hands of the Eagles going back to last year's cup final and two league meetings this year.
Plymouth Titans: James Hannaford, Ian McCormack, Kyle Browne, Paul Ansell, Ben Kirby, Matt Anstis, Billy Stockwell, Dave Shepherd, Matt Tichias, Dec Sexton, Paul Cioffi, Gaz Williams, Martin Browne, Gav Boak, Jamie Miles, Jack Martin, Dave Hall.
Titans Tries - Anstis, Boak 2, Tichias 2
Goals Anstis 5 + 1 dg
Eagles Tries - Emmins, Downie, Bolttrukiewicz, Mc Carthy
Goals Cadywould 2
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