Western Counties

Wellington 29

Tavistock 15

TAVISTOCK lost this match in the first 20 minutes when two unforced errors cost gave Wellington the opening for two tries.

This, together with the two further first half tries and the sin binning of Tavistock's Tom Friend meant Wellington were winning 24-8 at half time with the visitors looking down the barrel of a large defeat. However, Tavistock upped their performance in the second half putting the pressure on their hosts and Tavistock won the second half 7-5 but lost out overall.

Wellington opened the more purposeful of the two teams and was soon in the Tavistock 22. When in possession instead of putting boot to ball Tavistock tried running out of defence and lost possession this provided Wellington with a scoring opportunity which Joe Bussell accepted.

Wellington then extended their lead when again in defence the visitors again gifted possession and Bussell scored a second try. Mark Nicholls kicked the conversion.

On a rare sortie into Wellington territory Tavistock were awarded a penalty when Wellington were offside in midfield and Richard West got the visitors on the score board with a penalty. Tavistock continued to press and a great break from centre Danny Luffman almost put Lee Greatrex in at the corner. Tavistock kept up the pressure and after a forward drive flanker Tom Friend was driven over for a try.

Almost immediately Friend was sin-binned for deliberately slowing down the breakdown and Wellington took advantage of their ten minutes of numerical superiority when in the Tavistock 22 they drove from a lineout catch and Ted Keeble scored a try which Nicholls converted.

The final score of the half was a fourth try from Wellington's Chris Kitto.

The second half was a much more even affair with the Tavistock forwards taking the game to Wellington and putting their hosts under pressure for long period of the game.

Skipper Adrian Baker playing out of position in the back row was outstanding for Tavistock in loose play and was ably supported with some strong running by second rows Andrew Griffiths and Ben Williams. Unfortunately Tavistock lost Williams in the last quarter to an arm/shoulder injury.

With time running out Tavistock were rewarded with a second try when number eight Owain Lloyd was worked clear to score. Richard West added the conversion.

From the restart Tavistock made a mess of securing possession and allowed Wellington a simple last try scored by their skipper Tom Jenkins.