Tavistock 16

Honiton 8

TAVISTOCK notched their first league victory of the season last weekend. The hard-fought game represented the end of an unlucky run and was important to win, as neither had won a league game this season.

The Honiton pack seemed to have the advantage in set scrums, but determined play by the Tavistock pack in the loose ensured they had a good quantity of possession. Both sets of backs ran freely with the ball, but Tavistock showed the greater pace.

The first points came through a penalty kick by Adam Bridgewater after 15 minutes of Tavistock domination. Playing down the hill but against the wind in the first half. Tavistock managed to drive the opposition forwards down the hill.

Honiton's kicks often failed to reach touch and wingers Simon Beatty and Phil Allen were quick to counter-attack. As a result, large periods of play were spent with Tavistock attacking the Honiton line, often camped just a few yards out.

Even the effective bulk of Jefferies and Hunt was unable to penetrate the determined defence, however.

When it eventually arrived, the Tavistock try could not have been timed better. From a scrum just inside the Honiton half, the ball was spun to centre Evans, who passed wide to Beatty on the wing. Evans looped the winger, creating the extra man, and collected a reciprocated pass, showing good pace to score just before half-time.

With the slope against them and only an eight-point lead, Tavistock were left with a tough second half ahead. Honiton started with every intention of gaining the lead and a Tavistock mistake led to a converted penalty for the visitors.

The Honiton pack were frequently driving the Moorlanders back in the scrums and Tavistock spent significant periods defending. The defence was determined, however, and it was not Honiton who claimed the next score.

Honiton were running a counter attack from their own half when Tavistock fly half Bridgewater collected an impressive intercepted pass and outpaced the Honiton defence to score a fine try.

Bridgewater also featured in the next try, awarded to Honiton. The Honiton pack executed an effective rolling maul towards the Tavistock line. Two forwards broke from the back of the maul with the ball and charged over the line. The referee awarded the try, but when the Honiton players stood up Bridgewater could clearly be seen under the ball, preventing the try. The ref's decision had been made and Tavistock did not contest it.

It was Bridgewater who had the last say, however, when he slotted another penalty for Tavistock just seconds before the final whistle.