Tavistock 2nd XV 33

Bude 2nd XV 24

TAVISTOCK pulled off a fine victory against a strong and well drilled Bude team.

The visitors nudged ahead on the 15-minute mark with a converted try. Tavistock responded with Andrew Griffiths and John Bancroft making good ground, before Bude were penalised. The penalty was scored by Martin Credicott from an acute angle.

Despite dominating play, Tavistock shot themselves in the foot by gifting one of the Bude second row with a try on 25 minutes, following a failed attempt at a chip-and-chase.

Tavistock began to pen back Bude into their own 22 with dashing runs through centres John Mallon and Alistair Fry, and good support play from Ambrose McGuire and Pete Welsh.

Eventually the defence Bude put up buckled when Seb Roberts jinked his way through a flat-footed back-line to score between the posts, converted by Credicott.

Bude extended their advantage from a penalty for encroaching beyond the back foot, to make the score going into the interval 17-10 to the men from Cornwall.

At half-time Tavistock brough on hooker Ben Sutton for Welsh and Mark Ninnis, returning from holiday, for scrum half Ambrose McGuire who suffered a back injury but soldiered on to half-time, Jeff Thompson switching to scrum half.

Tavistock set up a fine move involving good link up play from the forwards and centres. This was thwarted by desperate defending and hands in the ruck by Bude which resulted in a penalty, converted by Credicott.

Again the home side went to sleep, allowing Bude to extend their lead with a breakaway try.

Yet another penalty was given away by the visitors following an infringement in a scrum 30 metres out. The impressive form of Credicott continued as the kick sailed between the posts.

Tavistock brought on further replacements with Simon Boreham slotting in at number 8 and Steve Langdon making his return at loose head, Mat Martin replacing Chris Johns at tight head.

The fresh legs made all the difference as Tavistock pummelled the Bude line, culminating in their second try on 63 minutes. Boreham linked well with scrum half Jeff Thompson before releasing Fry to burst down the wing. He was tackled just short of the line but winger John Mallon picked up the pieces and drove over.

The home side increased their slender advantage on 71 minutes when a scrum was awarded to Tavistock for a knock-on. From a ruck, Phil Malloney emerged with the ball to crash over.

A final flourish was provided by Seb Roberts following good support play from left wing Craig Pascoe, to score between the posts.