EDF Energy National Senior Vase, first round St Austell 15 Tavistock 20 TAVISTOCK moved into the second round with a narrow victory over Cornwall and Devon League rivals St Austell on Saturday. It was a victory for which Tavistock had to work hard both against spirited, stubborn opponents and against their own error-strewn game. St Austell took the game to Tavistock from the start and they were forced to defend deep, in their own half. After ten minutes St Austell were rewarded with a penalty goal from Ben Newman. Tavistock gradually got into the game, some sound scrummaging providing a platform for the backs to create pressure. From the pressure St Austell were penalised close to their line and a quickly taken penalty by Josh Sutton gave fly half Doug Lloyd space to squeeze in for a try in the corner. Sutton converted. St Austell was back in front by half time when flanker Will Hancock scored in the corner from another tap penalty similar to that scored by Tavistock. Early in the second half Tavistock went ahead, scoring the best try of the game. Winger Simon Braithwaite fielded a ball deep in his own half and started to counter attack. Doug Lloyd carried on the attack along the right touchline and after support from Will Brown centre Duncan Law scored close to the posts. Sutton converted to put Tavistock 14-8 in front. St Austell hit back and Ben Newman scored a try in the corner and added the conversion himself to put the Cornish side back in front by a point. Tavistock regained the lead with a long-range penalty goal from Josh Sutton and were then forced to absorb intense pressure for most of the final quarter. Tavistock gradually began to reassert themselves and with the last move of the game they got back into the St Austell 22 and were rewarded with a drop goal from Duncan Law. This Saturday Tavistock travel to Paignton, who like themselves are unbeaten in the Cornwall and Devon league this season. Kick off 3pm.
