Tavistock 1st XV 35
Bude 1st XV 5
THIS friendly fixture witnessed the best rugby Tavistock have played so far this season, and resulted in the comprehensive defeat of a team well established in the league above.
Tavistock seemed in control from the outset, with second rows Andy Hunt and Matt Wood leading driving mauls up the pitch. This absorbed the Bude forwards and enabled the Tavistock back row to make dangerous breaks towards the Bude line. From such, number 8, Matt Cole, scored Tavistock's first try, rolling off the back of a ruck and powering his way over the Bude line. Fly-half Kevin Georgel converted.
Several times in the first half Tavistock managed to get the ball wide to the wings, and another home try seemed inevitable. Typically it came from a ruck 10 yards from the Bude line.
Matthew Wood made a break from the back and the ball was eventually passed to wing, Simon Beatty. With an impressive turn of pace, Beatty gathered the ball behind him and sprinted between two defenders to dive over the line for Tavistock's second try.
Just before half-time Tavistock were slow to react to a break from the Cornishmen. Bude were stopped just short of the line, but a huge drive from their pack gave the Number 8 the chance to dive over for their only points.
Georgel widened the margin to 15-5 with a well placed penalty at the beginning of the second half.
Some weak tackling by Bude encouraged Tavistock to run at them and there were some impressive breaks by the back-row and backs. The best was from the Tavistock captain, Greenhill, who gathered the ball in the loose and ran almost the length of the pitch before he was tackled.
Tavistock's efforts were rewarded with a rush of tries in the last quarter. The first resulted from some fine vision and understanding by the Allen brothers. Paul had moved from full-back to fly -half, replacing the injured Georgel. Seeing space in the right-hand corner he lobbed a perfect kick for brother Phil to follow up on the right wing. The ball bounced perfectly for the winger and Phil scored Tavistock's third try.
The fourth was scored in a near-identical fashion. This time scrum-half, Lee Greatrex, kicked to Allen's wing. Allen collected and showed strength and speed down the right wing. Greatrex followed his kick in support and Phil's pass gave Greatrex a chance to display his speed to run in an impressive try.
It was fitting that the forwards should score the final try of the game, having secured so much possession. From a penalty move 5 yards out that almost looked rehearsed, Andy Hunt powered through the defence to score.
If anyone is interested in joining Tavistock RFC they are welcome to join at training at the club at 7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, or may phone Paul Greenhill, club captain, on 01822 616792.