Tavistock RFC 2nd XV 24

Withycombe RFC 2nd XV 7

IN appalling conditions at Sandy Park Tavistock?s resilience and guts gave them the upper hand.

The Tavistock pack dominated and provided the secure ball needed for scrum half Craig Pascoe to set the backs off. But the key to this victory was the outstanding defence from the backs, particularly Pascoe and John Mallon.

On 20 minutes Tavistock took the lead after Withycombe deliberately killed the ball in a ruck. Fly half Martin Credicott

converted the penalty.

A further two infringements were kicked over by Credicott to give Tavistock a comfortable 9-0 lead. A try was well taken by full back Ambrose McGuire following a rolling maul instigated by Andrew Griffiths.

Tavistock started the second half knowing the slope was with Withycombe and carelessly lost secure ball off the back of consecutive rucks, but the conditions and some resolute defence came to their aid.

Withycombe were reduced to 14 men on the 50-minute mark following a high tackle by their outside centre.

Tavistock capitalised through a solo effort from Griffiths, breaking five tackles to race over from 30 yards.

A further three points were kicked over to make the game safe.

A consolation was provided just before the end for Withycombe after Tavistock were adjudged to have come in from the side of a maul and collapsing it.