Tavistock U14s 45

Ivybridge U14s 26

PLAYING the strongest side in Devon at this age group brought the best out of a strengthened Tavistock.

Early in the first half Tavistock took the lead when quick ball from the base of the scrum was whistled along the back line to Ewan McCall at outside centre who made full use of an overlap to score in the corner.

Ivybridge hit back with two tries before half-time, using their lock forwards to drive through Tavistock?s defences before off loading to the play-makers in the centres to cut through the final line of cover.

The Tavistock pack again stuck to their task well, driving the opposition backwards in the scrum and working hard to get to rucks and mauls to help secure second phase ball often led by pack leader Hammy.

Sam Thwaites started many a charge from his number eight position picking up from the base of the scrum and looking for openings up the blind side.

The backs all looked likely to score with incisive individual runs from Jimmy Hubbard , Ewan Mccall and Doug Willatts but all were denied by stout defensive work by the visitors.

Man of the match: Chris Dawe.

This Sunday the team are at home in the first round cup match against Crediton , meeting at 10am for an 11am kick-off.

Tavistock U13s 5

Ivybridge U13s 17

TAVISTOCK, still without some of their leading players took on last year?s tournament champions in a fast and furious game.

The new front row of Lashbrook, Barnes and Robinson made their mark with tight scrummaging that gained them five strikes against the head. With some clean ball being won, outside half Milligan started to dictate play with surging runs and breaks that allowed his centres Lane and Warlow to make incisive breaks.

James was back from injury and showed how he had missed the game with driving runs coming from the breakdowns and strong covering tackles.

Facing such pressure, Ivybridge were forced to kick away possession that allowed Cuthbert, Perkins, Evans and Hall to counter attack from their own half. Despite two early tries Tavistock ended the first half on top with possession.

In the second half Tavistock?s Leeson released a pass that sent O?Neill racing away, breaking through three tackles to score a try.

With the match becoming even Smith and Bancroft showed their determination with a high percentage tackle rate. This was followed by Perkins at full back who made several try-stopping tackles and Savage showing good defensive play.

Ivybridge U11s 33

Tavistock U11s 22

IVYBRIDGE won the toss and with it the slope and wind advantage. They turned that into a 26-0 lead within the first 15 minutes.

Tavistock?s strong pack organised a textbook rolling maul to cross the tryline but failed to touch down. Charlie Hubbard and Josh Leeson keep the margin down with fine tackling.

A long run from Elliot Hoyte into the corner also narrowly missed the scoreline, although his next run saw him skilfully side step the defence to start Tavistock?s comeback with the two points added by Josh Stephens.

Tavistock returned to the field after some half-time reorganisation with Jake Case taking up the mantle of full back and Jack Haigh joining the pack.

Stephens caught the restart ball clean and passed to captain Philip Snell who stunned the opposition with his speed as raced in from halfway.

The work rate of forwards Cameron Hogg, George Harold and Jack Haigh kept scrum half Rhys Dunford busy, including scoring Tavistock?s third try from a ten-yard scrum.

Rufus Gould broke through and combined with Elliott Northmore to set up a phase of play which was finished by prop Joe Hair, crashing over for his side?s fourth, converted by Hoyte to bring the points difference to just four.

But Ivybridge added their only score of the half on the whistle.

This week Tavistock cross the Tamar to play Liskeard.

Ivybridge U10s 45

Tavistock U10s 0

TAVISTOCK knew the opposition beat them twice last season and started the game with their heads down.

Two early tries for Ivybridge set the tone for the rest of the match - they had four by half-time.

Tavistock battled well in midfield but when they did lose the ball Ivybridge capitalised on their opportunities, using well executed switch passes.

The half-time team talk had some effect on Tavistock and for the next quarter they kept Ivybridge?s cutting wingers at bay.

Tavistock were easily a match in midfield but were unable to capitalise on the chances they had. There were some penetrating runs that were well supported but Ivybridge?s discipline in their own half kept them on top.

As the visitors tired towards the end Ivybridge scored a further five tries.

Ivybridge U9s 25

Tavistock U9s 15

TAVISTOCK started slow to the breakdown and forgetting many of the basics.

Inexperienced defending allowed Ivybridge to take a 15-0 lead in the first ten minutes and a thrashing seemed on the cards.

Than a good combination of passes involving Aiden Mason and Thomas Russon released William Coulton to score, following a powerful run.

Ivybridge replied before half-time to go in 20-5 up.

In the second half. Tavistock played with more conviction. Sam Northmore started to use the strength that should make him an intimidating player. Jonty Newton made some direct runs and Theo Evans drove the forwards on.

Good passing between Rhys Davies and Rory Kirkman released Davies to narrow the gap and Henry Salmon scored from a trademark weaving run. Ivybridge replied with a single score.

Salcombe U9s 15

Tavistock U9s 30

TAVISTOCK started this second game of the day in the good form they had finished the first.

Henry Salmon scored two first half tries and Thomas Russon another, to go in at half-time 15-5 up.

Tavistock?s tackling was impressive with Fiona McCall, Daniel Sargeant and Felix Davis all making numerous tackles.

Janine Gibbins and Jake Backway made good runs and Janine Stephens looked dangerous at scrum half, making a number of weaving breaks including a fine individual try.

Salcombe scored two breakaway tries in the second half but Davies cancelled those out for Tavistock, who finished worthy winners.

Tavistock U7s 40

Paignton U7s 30

THE U7s? first home game of the season resulted in an eight-try haul and a richly deserved victory against a committed Paignton.

Daniel Dobie put in a fine performance, strongly supported by Johnnie Massey, Matthew Gibbins, Emmeline Hoyte, Ben Backway and Angus.

Alex Ferguson opened the scoring with an elusive run that left Paignton defenders grabbing thin air.

Fine work in defence by Matthew Dobie and Nick Jory thwarted a dangerous attack and the quick hands of Tom Jackman and skipper Nick Piper generated ball which Ferguson put to great use, capping a barnstorming performance with five tries .

Strong running from George Carter and Daniel brought each of them classy tries. With encouraging debuts from Charlie Carter, Zak Brinkhurst and Barney, Tavistock ran out deserved winners by two clear scores. Player of the match: Alex Ferguson.

Tavistock U7s 25

Ivybridge U7s 15

Tavistock U7s 20

Ivybridge U7s 25

A TREMENDOUS turnout from the Tavistock U7s meant two games were played against Ivybridge, enabling all 16 players in the squad to showcase their skills.

Strong running and committed tag tackling in defence abounded as Nick Jory bagged a brace of tries with some mazy running.

Nick Piper scored his first try for the club, with an impressive solo run, and George Carter added to his tally for the season with a trademark unstoppable surge over the line.

Excellent tackling from Johnnie Massey, Tom Jackman and Zak Brinkhurst tagging tigerishly in defence put the home team under pressure as Ben Backway, Emmeline Hoyte and Angus all handled well to create more try scoring opportunities.

The contributions of Matthew and Daniel Dobie and Alex Ferguson also stood out as all three scored excellent tries.

Charlie Carter?s debut was marked with an impressive touchdown. Harry Snowden cut through the defence to notch two tries and his defensive covering saved a try when he ran the length of the pitch to make a tackle.

With honours even between Tavistock and Ivybridge there followed a surprise extra match against a pacy Salcombe side. The team in cherry and white established an early, and ultimately winning, advantage but great credit is due to the Tavistock team who worked hard to reduce the deficit at the end of a tiring morning.

Player of the match: Harry Snowden.

This Sunday, away at Liskeard. Meet at Abbey car park at 9.30am as usual.