Cornwall and Devon League Wellington 20 Tavistock 18 TAVISTOCK missed the opportunity to go back to the top of the League when they were beaten by a penalty goal which turned out to be the last kick of the game at Wellington on Saturday. This was an exciting end to a close game, a game which Tavistock felt was theirs for the taking but for some crucial referring decisions not going their way. One decision, a controversial offside decision, awarded Wellington a penalty and they were then able to convert field position into a try. Wellington took the lead within the first minute via a penalty goal from Matt Parsons after Tavistock were penalised from the kick off. By the end of the first quarter Wellington had extended their lead to ten points with Tim Jenkinson scoring a try from a lineout catch and drive. Parsons converted. As the half wore on Tavistock got back into the game and new interplay among the three quarters involving Doug Lloyd, Duncan Law, Danny Evans and Josh Sutton opened the Wellington defence for Simon Braithwaite to score in the right corner. Just before half time Tavistock lost Duncan Law to the sin bin after Duncan was penalised for excessive rucking. Another strange referring decision saw a Tavistock driving maul halted by the referee, who gave them a penalty, when they were still moving forward and with the line in sight. The second half started better for Tavistock when Wellington were penalised from the kick off, and Josh Sutton landed the penalty to reduce the arrears to two points. Then came the controversial penalty decision allowing Wellington to extend their lead with a try from James Evans converted by Matt Parsons. Tavistock hit back with a try from player-coach Steve Rush after a lineout catch and drive and a conversion from Josh Sutton. A second penalty goal from Josh Sutton two minutes from time saw Tavistock claw back. However Tavistock's inability to deal with the restart and clear their lines allowed Wellington the chance to sneak the game with a final penalty from Matt Parsons. This coming Saturday Tavistock entertain Barnstaple at Sandy Park in the EDF National Senior Vase. Kick off 2pm.
