THE Plymouth Combination could not quite snatch a comeback victory against Torbay Sharks at Newton Abbot on Sunday.
The Combination representative side were just edged out 34-31 by their south Devon counterparts in a competitive match at Rackerhayes.
The Plymouth side had found themselves 34-19 behind in the 54th minute but they came back with two late tries, only for the referee to blow up more than five minutes early and deny them the chance of snatching the win in the annual fixture.
The Combination side, who had a much-changed line-up to the one that played Plymouth Academicals at Brickfields at the start of the month, found themselves 10-0 down after 16 minutes with Newton Abbot’s Tom Osborn and Teignmouth’s Pete Bilham scoring early tries for the Sharks.
But the Combination team hit back with influential centre Tom Davies, who had been denied a try for forward pass in the 14th minute, getting a touch-down in the 20th minute, which Devonport Services’ Aiden Taylor converted.
And it got better for the visitors when Liskeard-Looe number eight Adam Powell, who had a good game in the pack, scored from close range to put the Plymouth outfit in front.
However, tries by Newton Abbot players Lloyd Radford and Charlie Dore gave the Sharks a 22-12 half-time lead.
The hosts extended their advantage within three minutes of the re-start with a try on the right by experienced centre Jack Bond.
But Powell got a second from close range for the Combination to make it 27-19.
A converted touch-down under the posts by Cameron Venn appeared to have sealed the win for the Sharks.
However, the Combination team had other ideas and finished strongly.
A try from Peninsula Medical School prop Rohan Ewels after Frazer Tatchell had come close, which Sammie Matts converted, gave the visitors hope.
And then a try in the right corner by OPMs wing Alex Jewell appeared to have set up a great finish, only for the referee to surprisingly blow up early.
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