Cullompton RFC 2nd XV . . 31
Tavistock RFC 2nd XV. . . . 12
GENERALLY a disappointing performance from Tavistock who dominated great swathes of this contest but could not make their possession count and were made to pay by a well drilled Cullompton team.
The game began with a flourish from the visitors penning the home team back in their own 22 and recycling well. Simon Thompson and tight-head Chris Johns going close in the first twenty minutes.
But defensive lapses let Cullompton in with a break away try against the run of play.
In a particularly bad ten minutes Tavistock lost all concentration and let their opponents in for a further two tries, both converted, before regaining their composure and finishing the half with a flourish — captain Neil Cole breaking several tackles before stretching for the visitors' first try.
The score gave Tavistock fresh impetus and they fought back to dominate the game early in the second half with flankers Paul Williams and Adam James causing the home team all sorts of problems, and scrum-half Richard Staniland looking particularly dangerous.
However another piece of sloppy play meant that Tavistock lost what should have been secure ball at the back of the maul and Cullompton stole in to score their fourth try.
Straight from the kick off the away team added a fifth and decisive score when the Cullompton second row burst through a lethargic Tavistock defence.
This seemed to galvanise Tavistock who came back at Cullompton with first hooker Ben Sutton and then Pete Welsh deputising on the right wing.
Both made ground before Staniland bludgeoned his way through the Cullompton line, the try being converted by Matin Credicock. It proved too late to make any difference though.