Tavistock RFC Colts 25

Saltash Colts 10

TAVISTOCK earned a much needed victory in a hard fought match. Opening exchanges were even until a scrum in the Saltash half saw captain Dan Boreham break from No 8 to power through the defence to touch down.

Tavistock used their wings more than usual and an early ball to right wing Ashley Williams enabled him to beat his man and the full back to touch down for a second try.

Second row Ian Rooke continued the scoring as he followed up a kick from Mike Rowe on his own to dispossess the catcher and power over for a try.

Dan Boreham scored his second try before half-time, after a steal at a Saltash lineout.

Saltash scored twice in the second half but the result was sealed when Sam Smerdon followed up a kick, giving the Saltash chaser a 20 metres start before overtaking him to dive on the ball to score.

New player Scott Davis acquitted himself well, showing his speed when he could and pulling off several good tackles.

Saltash did themselves no favours by losing discipline on a number of occasions, resulting in three sin bins and one sending off towards the end of the game.

Sam Lawson and Will Branfield had big games in the pack while the threes looked as organised in attack and defence as they have for a long time, helped by scrum half Richard Freedman who looked sharp in his first game of the season.

The back row of Haig Gorman, Mark Wheatley and Dan Boreham were the platform for this win, getting involved in all attacks.

Two players shared man of the match, Sam Smerdon at stand off for his chasing and tackling, and Mark Wheatley at flanker for his forward skills and hard work.

Tavistock Colts 3

Bideford Colts 23

BIDEFORD opened the scoring with a converted try followed by a penalty for a high tackle. A soft try followed after several half-hearted Tavistock tackles were brushed aside. A further penalty saw the half-time score at 20-0.

The second half produced a better performance from Tavistock. Improved defending exemplified by a crunching tackle from full back Jack Derges preventing a certain score.

Bideford extended their lead with a penalty. A chip ahead from scrum half Tim Child caused panic in the opposition defence and Tavistock started to realise an upset could be on the cards.

Several hard runs from right wing Ashley Williams resulted in a try after good approach work from centre Doug Lloyd and scrum half Alex Moy.

A tighter game in the first half and earlier pressure in the second could have reversed the result.

This week's game is away to Cullompton.