Plymouth Barbarians 21

Tavistock 15

WITH both teams looking to record their first win of the season it was the Barbarians who made the stronger start, and utilising their size advantage began breaking through the Tavistock defence, though good scrambling from Nick Cunningham and Will Glover prevented the Barbarians from opening the scoring. However, Tavistock's indiscipline at the breakdown provided the Barbarians with an opportunity to build a lead, three penalty attempts later.

Tavistock needed to regroup and the lineout gave them some relief. Tavistock were able to generate a good platform with the jumpers Dan Oner, Andrew Kaka, and Chris Morton flying high. Thre was strong running in the midfield from Doug Lloyd who started punching holes in the Barbarians line. Tavistock were growing into the game and the excellent distribution from Ewan Smith was moving the point of attack. The bigger Barbarians pack were struggling to cope with the pace of the recycled ball being generated by the efficient rucking of Andrew Griffiths and Lloyd James. After some strong phases of play Tavistock had sucked in the Barbarian defence, Smith with a good pass put George Rodgers into the space and he darted to the line with his rocket powered boots to score his first senior try. Richard West converted.

Tavistock were now full of confidence and the forwards showed their power, props Josh O'Neil and Matt Martin proving that technique is a good substitute for size. This turnover allowed the alert West to snipe down the blindside, Oner was on hand to collect the offload and score in the corner, 9-12.

Tavistock were then guilty of switching off before the break, the Barbarians using a set play at a shortened lineout exposed the Tavistock defence on the short side and they crossed for an easy score, half time 16 – 12.

Tavistock were slow to start the half, the Barbarians spurred on by this sent their pacey runners free and they crossed again for another try.

Tavistock now nine points down went in search of a way back into the game, replacement Josh Leeson kicking to the corners forcing the Barbarians deep into their half. Rob Monk playing his first match for the first XV since returning to the club showed his aggression in the tight and forced a penalty. West knocked it over to pull the score back to 21 – 15.

With plenty of time still on the clock Tavistock went looking for another score. Gareth Buttock coming off the bench made inroads with ball in hand but the Barbarians' defence stood firm. Tavistock threw everything at the hosts but they shouldn't find that cutting edge to get through. In the dying minutes Tavistock thought they had the try they needed, from a five metre lineout Tavistock set up a maul and drove the ball over the line only for the referee to deem that the ball had been held up. For the third week running Tavistock have produced an entertaining display but haven't been able to close out the win their performance deserved, instead having to settle for a losing bonus point.

Next week Tavistock travel to Withycombe who sit just above them in the table.