One of these cup appearances was in the FA Trophy 2007–08 Final against Ebbsfleet United, where Torquay lost 1–0. Rice gave away a penalty after bringing down future teammate Chris McPhee, but made amends by saving the resulting spot-kick to keep the scores level. In a 2012 interview, Rice hailed the penalty stop as "the best save I ever made – especially as I'd given the pen away!". He had also played in Torquay's FA Trophy semi-final first-leg win over York City, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win, and the second-leg defeat to York on 15 March 2008. Rice was loaned to Truro City for the majority of the 2008–09 season, returning towards the end of the season to be part of Torquay's play-off squad. He was an unused substitute in Torquay's 2–0 2009 Conference National play-off Final victory over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009. Rice agreed a new one-year deal with Torquay to stay at Plainmoor as they made their return to the Football League. However, he lasted just three months into the contract. After impressing coaches at Truro during his loan spell, Rice left for Cornwall on a free transfer on 29 September 2009 after being released by Torquay. In his loan spell with City in 2008–09, Rice made 20 league appearances, even scoring a goal in the process. With Truro 3–0 up against Abingdon United in injury time in February 2009, they were awarded a penalty. Rice was given the honours and duly converted, for the only goal of his career so far. Rice kept five clean sheets in his loan spell. He was unable to play in FA Cup or FA Trophy games for Truro whilst on loan, and Torquay had a 24-hour recall on the goalkeeper. After impressing on loan from Torquay, Rice signed a permanent deal with Truro a few games into the 2009–10 season; Truro registered the goalkeeper on 1 September 2009. Because he had dropped into non-League football, Rice found himself a part-time footballer and worked on a building site to supplement his income. Rice actually made fewer appearances in his first season as a full Truro player, playing 12 games compared to 20 when he was on loan. Two of these appearances were against Mangotsfield United and Maidenhead United in the FA Cup qualifying stages, but the rest of his appearances came in the league.