Tivvy given a scare in Plymouth

9:02am Friday 31st March 2006

OPMs 20pts, Tiverton 21 WHAT on paper should have been a comfortable run out against a relegation bound opposition almost became the match where all Tiverton's hard work this season came unstuck.

It was only a coolly taken drop goal deep into injury time by Steve Cockram that managed to pull victory out of the jaws of what looked like a very real defeat.

Tiverton made their second successive visit to Plymouth in as many weeks, this time to take on an OPM side they had dispatched convincingly in the opening match of the season, and after their reverse at second-placed Services last weekend, were keen to get their push for promotion right back on track.

However OPM had other ideas, and started the match on the sodden recreation ground with nothing to loose, and playing only for pride, took it to the league leader's from the first exchange.

The first 15 minutes of the match was a stalemate, with OPMs having first use of the substantial wind blowing down the pitch, and they were content to let their fly half use his more than useful boot to peg Tiverton down in their half at every opportunity.

The game suddenly turned on the quarter-hour mark, when Tiverton turned over OPM and produced quick ball for their backs just inside their half.

What should have been a good attacking opportunity turned to disaster as indecisive passing led to the home side's right winger intercepting and running in untouched for the first converted try of the match.

A shell-shocked Tiverton side then watched helplessly five minutes later when a good period of OPM pressure resulted in kick through for their left winger, who scored a second converted try, leaving Tiverton 14-0 down after only 20 minutes.

OPM continued to dominate the match, but Tiverton managed to contain the home side, and slowly started to play themselves back into the match. And several minutes before half time, winger Andy Brookes latched onto a well- weighted chip kick in behind the OPM defence to open his side's score with an unconverted try.

OPM hit back right on half time with a penalty of their own, taking an improbable, but deserved 17-5 lead into the break.

Tiverton used the break well though, and after some strong words from senior players and coaching staff, started a different side, ripping into the home side and moving the ball quickly from the ensuing kickoff, freeing right wing Barney Bell who was collared on the home 22.

Second row Henry Ellicott soon took a well-timed pass close to the ruck to crash over for a converted try, which was quickly added to five minutes later by a Cockram penalty cutting OPM's lead to just two points.

The home side replied five minutes later with a well-struck penalty, leaving Tiverton needing to score at least twice to take the match and keep their promotion aspirations a reality.

Another Cockram penalty on 60 minutes bought the match to 20-18 in favour of the hosts, a lead that looked like being overtaken sooner rather than later as Tiverton seemed to have finally taken control of the match, getting on top of their opposites at scrums, and making several good breaks when the ball was eventually moved to their flanks.

But Tiverton proceeded to start taking wrong options in midfield, turning over ball that should have found their quick wing men, and trying to take the home side on up front, mauling against a useful home pack, and then failing to produce the quick ball that had created the opportunities that had led to their two previous tries.

As the game entered its last final minutes, Tiverton mounted one last attack, and drove from a lineout into the home 22.

The ball was held up longer than Tiverton would have liked, and when it was finally delivered, it found Cockram with space and time, which he used well to slot over probably one of the most important drop goals of his Tiverton career.

This put his side in front for the first time in the match, and with the ref signalling less than a minute left, more than likely the winning strike.

It wasn't over though, and a mistake at kick off saw OPM awarded a scrum inside the Tiverton half, and with the next stoppage being the end of the match, they moved it quickly.

Desperate defending by fulback Chris Reid saw him knocked into touch ten metres short of the line, and full time was blown, much to the relief of Tiverton players and supporters.

Tiverton's coach, Zane McCormack felt concerned by how close the game was, but he did not really know where to start when analysing the game.

"While our application was nowhere near what we're capable of, I certainly can't fault the team's attitude and effort after half time, and they way they pulled themselves together and stuck at the task is a credit to them", he said. "OPM certainly played their part as well, and even though their tries came from our mistakes, they were still sharp enough to take their chances well when they came, and showed just how dangerous a side they can be when they play with confidence.

"The weather certainly played a part as well, slowing the match up and allowing their strong forwards to play their mauling game, and negating the advantage our more mobile pack enjoyed against them on a hard fast home track last time we met in September.

"But we also didn't do ourselves any favours with our error rate and wayward option-taking negating the advantage we had in possession and territory, and at times when they moved the ball from contact looked the more composed and confident side.

"We have a very welcome weekend off before welcoming Falmouth to our place, and while I would normally like a fixture to keep things ticking over, I think this break will have come at a good time, and should mean that we're able to welcome back key backs like Martin Branton and Nick Reid who have been missing through injury.

"There are still two games left, and there is a very real possibility of coming away from this season with nothing to show for all the effort and progress that has gone into the season, so we're taking nothing for granted."