Tavistock U15s 17

Crediton U15s 7

Tavistock took an early lead, against the run of play when Richie Coker broke free and scored an excellent individual try.

But Crediton, using the windy and rainy conditions, scored a try following a well worked move, which was successfully converted to give them a 7-5 half time lead. 

Both teams came out in the second half competing well, although the rugby was not for the purists.  With the strengthening wind in Tavistock's favour, the home side initially failed to use it to the full, but eventually managed to pressurise the depleted visiting defence allowing player of the match Danny Gibson to run home their second try.  

With play centralised in the visitors' half for much of the final quarter, Tavistock demonstrated their true capability with a well worked move which released Monty Burdfield to run in a third try for Tavistock — this was successfully converted by Ed Longden.

Tavistock RFC U14s 28

Crediton RFC U14s 19

CREDITON opened by demonstrating their intent to use its large and mobile forwards to drive upfield and opened the scoring early with a converted try achieved through pick and drive.

Tavistock recognised the style of play necessary in the prevailing conditions which would require the ball to be kept in hand .

The Tavistock pack changed they pattern of play, playing the same game as the opposition. Joshua Langton made his mark in driving the ball forward with Jack Cooper much in evidence at the rucks and the loose ball.

Captain for the day Jonty Newton made ground from forward drives while Jake Johns on the wing achieved several impressive breaks. The eventual reward for the effort came from an equalising try delivered by Sam Northmore who found a gap in the Crediton defence, handing off his opponents en route.

Crediton moved ahead from a drive although the Tavistock defence made them work for the score. The see saw continued when Sam Northmore made his second crossing from a ball fed out by the forwards to the No8 to equalise once again.

Tavistock took the lead with an evasive and speedy run from the Tavistock 22 by winger Jez Massy-Birch. Crediton was not to be outdone and having camped on the Tavistock line persisted until with ball in hand they were able to drive through a gap in the home defence to leave Tavistock two points ahead.

In the dying minutes, Sam Northmore completed his hat- trick with a third crossing from a ball fed by scrum half Frazer Bayliss from a ruck on the five metre line.

Crediton U13s 10

Tavistock U13s 10

TAVISTOCK U13s began this game with six changes from the cup match of the previous week.

The Tavistock set piece functioned well throughout and they secured their own ball, enabling captain Kier Murphy at scrum half to move the ball wide.

In the early stages, Dawes moved the ball out wide and Tavy made good yardage but struggled in wider positions to retain the ball in contact and handling errors enabled Crediton to regroup their defence.

Dawes for Tavistock used good variation and dummied and broke through the gap to score under the posts, which he then converted. Crediton's most used attacking option was from No 8 and it was from a break at the back of a scrummage that they broke through the gain line and created an overlap to score in the corner to make the score 7-5 to Tavistock at half time.

In the second half Tavistock's David Milligan made his debut at outside centre. Dawes gave his team a five point advantage by landing a great kick from outside the 22.

The second half was end to end as good breaks were made by both teams and the occasional tackle was missed that should have been made. Tavistock looked to have scored after a good passing sequence saw inside centre Dawes collecting the ball on the wing having looped around Milligan but player of the match Dawes was adjudged to have put a foot into touch.

Crediton made one final push and came close before knocking on just feet from the line. From the final scrum the forwards made one final effort to secure the ball and Kier Murphy as captain correctly decided to kick for touch and the whistle was blown.

Crediton RFC U12s 12

Tavistock RFC U12s 17

Tavistock came out on top in an epic encounter at Crediton, finally overcoming the resistance of the home side with a try mid way through the second half, and holding out for a hard fought but well deserved victory.

The blustery conditions and soft ground meant that forward play would always be the key to success, but the Tavistock pack, who put in their strongest performance of the season, were backed up throughout by the relentless tackling of the backs.

Early in the encounter Crediton put Tavistock under pressure, and despite some tremendous defensive tackling, this was eventually converted into a 7-0 lead for the home side. Tavistock fought back to level the score with a try from a superb run by Charlie Charlton and conversion by Zak Brinkhurst.

The larger Crediton forwards then struck again from a close range penalty, driving over to score in the corner to give them a 12-7 lead. But Tavistock's spirit held and their forwards progress was finally turned into points by Matthew Dobie who showed great tenacity to scramble over the line. The conversion was missed making the half time score level at 12-12.

In the second half Tavistock were again put under early pressure but stout forward defence from Ferguson, Lloyd-Graham, Staughan, and Slater kept the home team at bay.

The backs also helped out in defending their line with Adam Williams and James Perrin making some sniping breaks, Tom Jackson kicking well to clear his lines, and Barney Megicks looking safe under the high ball at full back.

After soaking up this pressure Tavistock won the ball from a driving ruck mid-way into the Crediton half; Charlie Carter broke the line and slipped a pass to his centre partner Daniel Dobie to crash over to give the visitors a 17-12 lead.

Tavistock RFC U11s 33

Crediton RFC U11s 19

TAVISTOCK stunned their visitors by scoring four rapid fire tries. They shot forward with such enthusiasm that what they thought was a touch down over the try line was in fact over the dead ball line!

However, it was not only the windy rainy conditions that made play difficult. The home team lifted their heads and their sights to come right back into the game with some spirited play — deserving much credit against Crediton.

The tackle of the match went to Tobias while James had his best game of the season; Christian's catching of the ball was balletic and he appeared to sense who to pass to without needing to look. Matthew left his mark even before the game began. Both teams played well.

Devonport Services RFC U11s 7

Tavistock RFC U11s 12

DEVONPORT Services away was always going to be a tough prospect for Tavistock. The Devonport team were strong, skilled and committed.

This sporting contest ebbed close to the Tavistock try line and then to the opposite end.

Tavistock scored first with ball well won by the pack, who were outstanding, until Bert grabbed hold of it and shimmied his way over the line. Harvey missed the conversion.

Services soon scored a deserved try with their captain dropping the goal for the conversion.

The game looked like a home win when a massive midfield maul developed and Tavistock's Harry grabbed the ball and ran in for a try. Matthew then converted.

Although Services piled on the pressure Tavistock just held on. Jack put in some good tackles for the visitors and there was good support play from Angus.

l More junior rugby on page 45.