Devon U13 Junior Rugby Cup quarter-finals
Tavistock U13s 17
Exmouth U13s 5
IN a rapidly drying pitch Exmouth utilised the wind advantage and opened the scoring with the first try.
This galvanised the Tavistock forwards to attack. In the strong wind the dominance of Leeson at the lineouts was evident with the accurate and directive throwing from hooker Roberts.
With the backs creating opportunites Tavistock took the game to Exmouth and from driving play initiated by tearaway flankers Robinson and Smerdon, support was given by Morgan that enabled O?Neill, at number 8, to crash over for the equalising score.
In the second half Tavistock had the advantage of the wind and mixed the obvious tactic of kicking for the corners with angled running. Following a break from scrum half Lane a lineout was awarded deep inside their opponents? 22. A quick break from the tail of the line allowed O?Neill to take possession and from five metres out he was unstoppable and scored under the posts. The try was converted by Milligan.
With their opponents tiring Tavistock attacked with Thompson making incisive breaks that allowed wings Cuthbert and Hall to use their pace and skill to stretch the opposition defence.
With ten minutes left and down to 14 men Tavistock showed fierce tackling and aggressive rucking that brought a penalty close to the try-line. A tap penalty move saw James take the ball at full pace and broke through five tackles to score the final try.
Man of the match: Warlow.
Devon Cup
Teignmouth U15s 17
Tavistock U15s 11
TAVISTOCK did well to keep this a tight contest even though their creative spark was not quite there.
Three minutes into the game Teignmouth worked a good try into the right-hand corner following a turnover ball. A few minutes later and a similar second try was scored.
A big defeat looked on the cards but good defensive work by Stewart, Burton, Edwards and captain Lawson kept Teignmouth?s dangerous backs at bay.
An interception by Frost on his own ten-metre line saw him run the length of the Teignmouth half to touch down, a score that lifted the side. Further pressure from Tavistock enabled Campbell to slot a penalty giving a 10-8 half-time score.
Ten minutes into the second period and sustained Teignmouth pressure was rewarded with a penalty try.
Tavistock again raised their game and Lawson kicked a penalty to close the scores.
Towards the end of the half Tavistock had a series of scrums on their opponents? 22, but were not able to use this as a springboard to launch any dangerous attacks.