Sports Reports

Wednesday 18th Jan 2012

Devon Schools Football League

South Devon College 8 Kingsbridge Community College 2

South Devon 3rd team entertained Kingsbridge Community College in the Devon schools league and ran out comfortable winners. On an uneven pitch Devon started brightly passing the ball well and utilising their wide players with both Denning & Northcott involved. It was no surprise when after several early chances Devon took the lead with good link up play on the right flank between Hassell,  Denning & Frayne which saw the latter send in a cross which was fired home by Aaron Walker. This should have encouraged Devon, but it was Kingsbridge who scored next, when a long ball to their forward saw Lewis Tapp go to ground in an attempted tackle which allowed their player to turn, evade another weak tackle and fire home past an outstretched Sammy Brown.

At 1 – 1 the game could have gone either way and the next goal would prove to be decisive, with Devon pressing forward, using their flanks to good effect they were rewarded, when a corner from Northcott found an unmarked Nick warren at the far post who had the time and composure to take a touch before scoring to make it 2 -1 to South Devon. With added impetus Devon pressed on and scored a third just before the half time break when striker Aaron walker the favour to partner Ryan Frayne who fired home on the half volley from 20 yards.

Half time arrived and Coach Gibson made several changes including Killin Clark in goal, Steve Smith for Tapp and Spriggs for Denning.

Devon despite the changes continued to dominate, retaining possession and looking dangerous going forward, the 4th goal was looking inevitable and came when Frayne got his second of the game after a cross from Northcott. Kingsbridge were looking tired after chasing the game thus far and Devon’s midfield of Garnett & Newland were in control. Frayne completed his deserved hat trick on 55 minutes when a clearance from the keeper fell to him 30 yards out, which he delightfully chipped over the opposing keeper. Devon’s 6th goal came courtesy of Walker again from a pin point cross this time from Spriggs after good build up play through the midfield.

Kingsbridge pulled a goal back straight from the kick off as Devon switched off missing tackles before giving away a free kick 30 yards out, the resulting ball into the area was headed home at the far post past Killin Clark. Devon claimed their 7th goal when Shaun Newland fired home direct from a corner and wrapped up a fine performance on 85 minutes when Walker joined Frayne in completing his hat trick, rifling home from a Northcott through ball.

Coach Gibson was delighted with the performance and the way in which they continued to play and pass the ball on a difficult surface.

Squad

S Brown (6), Killin Clark (5), N warren (7), J Routledge (7), L Tapp (6), K Hassell (7), S Smith (7), J Denning (8), B Garnett (7), S Newland (7), L Northcott (9 & MOM), B Spriggs (6), P Shaw (6), R Fryane (8), A Walker (7)

Coach Darren Gibson & Dave Newton

Wednesday 18th Jan 2012

British Colleges Sport SW Rugby Division 1

Exeter College 15 South Devon College 10

SDC first game of the year saw them playing the return fixture against Exeter College, who they had defeated earlier in the season.

After 2 weeks of fantastic preparation at training SDC went into the fixture full of confidence, and this was evident as they started the match well against the strong Exeter College side.

 SDC won the kickoff and showed patience and organisation to keep the ball for 8 phases gradually moving the ball into the Exeter 22.  Exeter’s defence held strong until the pressure told and SDC were awarded a penalty.  Captain Sam Poustie elected to kick to touch, the lineout was collected from second row Tom Page and SDC drove the ball close to the line.  From the resulting breakdown winger Damien Thompson came off his wing to pick up the ball and crash over for the first try of the match. The resulting conversation was missed 5 - 0 to the visitors.

 Exeter College were next to keep the ball using their strong ball carriers in the front row and at 8 well and making ground into the SDC half; however the Torbay’s defence held strong.  A period of equal possession followed for both sides however, Exeter continued to find themselves on the front foot and were the next team to score.  They used their power in the pack to crash over the line for their first try.  Unfortunately leading up to the try one of the Exeter back row dislocated his shoulder and the ref made the decision to stop the first half prematurely to allow the ambulance to the pitch for the injured player.  Exeter missed the conversion first half score 5 - 5.

 The second half continued in the same vain as the first finished with Exeter starting the brighter and continued to apply pressure to the opposition.  This in conjunction with referee decisions not going SDC way meant Exeter found themselves with a scrum 10 m out from the SDC line.  The Exeter number picked from the base to crash over the line.  the conversion was missed 10 - 5.

 Both teams continued to play good rugby with SDC centres Mike Meech and Dave Hogan getting themselves over the gain line on more than one occasion and the Exeter back line moving the ball well.  SDC now entered into a period of pressure with good ball retention and impressive lineout and mauling play.  It was during this period that SDC would score next again keeping the ball well in the oppositions 22 before Sam Poustie switched play and with good hands the ball found fullback Daniel Foale who cruised over the line to score.  The conversion was missed 10 - 10.

 With time running out both teams were throwing everything at it to win the match with some skilful play being matched with some strong aggressive tackling.  However, with the game so evenly matched a mistake was probably going to decide the match.  Exeter number 12 gathered the ball on the SDC 40 metre and after 2 missed tackles showed good speed and power to score in the corner.  The conversion was missed 15 - 10.

 There were opportunities within the last 5 minutes for SDC to score again but with a few balls not going to hand and a few bad decisions made the match finished 15 - 10.  

Coach Colin Stewart & Gary Stephens

Wednesday 18th Jan 2012

England Basketball SW

Stoke Damarel 26 South Devon College 117

Devon travelled to Plymouth to play their 3rd pool game in the Engalnd Basketball u19 competition, having already beaten Exmouth & Ivybridge. Against a weak Plymouth team Devon had the opportunity to utilise their full squad who were missing only B Hilborne. Starting strongly Devon raced into a 20 – 0 lead with Culley & Hall too strong for their counterparts, Westlake was staking acclaim for a starting position whilst Hutchins was as reliable as ever. Rotating the bench saw Cheeseworth, Caton, & Russell onto the court and despite early misunderstanding with set plays all gained useful experience of game time. Culley began to use his abilities to create as well as score points and Flanders was dominant around the basket scoring points and accruing rebounds at will. Russell hit a buzzer beater for a 3, whilst Culley & Hall continued to build up their individual points tally. With game never in doubt Coach Hatchell asked his players to run set and offensive plays to develop their understanding in readiness for tougher challenges

The final quarter saw Hatchell rotate his team giving all players court time and this resulted in more composure being shown and an awareness of positioning. Mistakes were still made and these will need to be rectified if the bench players want to make their mark and certainly in future games against stronger opposition.

Squad

C Caton, J Russell, J Noble, C Hutchins, T Hall, J Culley, J Westlake, S Flanders, M Cheesworth,

Coach George Hatchell

British Colleges Sport

Ladies SW Rugby 2nd Phase Trials @ Bath Rugby Club

First year sports student Lydia Gannon attended the British Colleges Sport 2nd Rugby Development team trial at the Bath Rugby Club ground. This was a great opportunity for Lydia who had already come through an initial trial containing representative players from South West Colleges; success in the second trial could mean selection for the Ladies Rugby team at the National Championships in April. Having experienced a tour around the ground and facilities and had the opportunity to meet current Bath RFC players including England International Lee Mears. Gannon lined up alongside her South West counterparts to play Baths Ladies Under 18 team and playing 70 minutes she helped her team to a comfortable victory.

The visit began with a stadium tour of the Recreation Ground and the girls learning the history of the hallowed turf.   The itinerary was packed, with the evening involving the girls putting on their boots and taking to Bath Rugby's training ground for a fixture against the Bath Rugby Girls' Development Squad.   Talented girls from all over the South West including alongside Lydia players from Truro, Yeovil & Exeter Colleges

Upcoming Fixtures

Wednesday 25th Jan 2012

South Devon College Basketball v St Brendans 6th Form, Bristol (Cup 4th Round)

Exeter College v Football 1st Team

South Devon College 2nd’s v Ivybridge College

South Devon College 3rds v South Dartmoor College

Richard Huish College v South Devon College Rugby