Tavistock 13
OPOs 3
TAVISTOCK resumed their league programme against OPOs at Sandy Park in gale force conditions.
OPOs kicked off and Tavistock were quickly into their stride with Tom Dawe to the fore.
Matt Witcher had the first good break, but was just handed down and OPOs were able to clear.
Tavistock attacked, again good driving approach work but losing cohesion in the opposition 22.
Another big clearance and OPOs were able to attack. Tavistock conceded a penalty and OPOs took the lead.
This concentrated Tavistock. An excellent line kick from Josh Sutton took play up to the five metre line; an initial drive from Andy Hunt was held up, quick release and Tom Hurdwell powered his way over for the try. Sutton converted.
Tavistock continued to pressure OPOs, but they defended well, although this took its toll and there were continual stoppages for injuries.
Tavistock?s front five were outstanding, completely destroying the OPOs pack who had to play virtually the whole match on the back foot.
The second half produced much of the same; Tavistock applying all the pressure but at the last the prodigious boot of the OPOs fly half sending them back 50 to 60 metres.
From one defensive lineout Darren Cole made huge inroads into the OPOs? defence. Taken on by Jude Rotton, he was stopped, the ball was recycled and again the move petered out.
However, from the resulting scrum, the ball was taken by Paul Greenhill on the blind-side, a quick feed to Lee Greatrex, half a gap and he was away, rounding the fullback to score a trademark try.
There was more pressure from Tavistock, some good individual efforts, but the team did not quite fire in their usual way.
Saturday sees a friendly fixture against Saltash at Sandypark, kick-off 2.30pm.