Plymouth Lockie Cup
Tavistock RFC
seconds 15
Tamar Saracens
first 22
TAVISTOCK seconds finished their season with the final of the Plymouth Lockie Cup against Tamar Saracens firsts, played under floodlights at Devonport Services ground.
The two sides produced an action packed match, with the result in doubt, right up to the final whistle.
Tavistock took the game to their opponents right from the kick-off and Saracens had to do some serious defending in the opening quarter. Although up against a bigger and heavier pack, the Tavistock forwards applied good pressure, particularly in the loose, with the back row of Tom Friend; Paul Williams and Pete Davis all prominent.
Tavistock were unsettled by an early injury to left wing, Nick Lane and a further injury to his replacement, Miles Ross. Despite this, it was Tavistock who got the first score, when right wing, Tom Charlesworth finished off a good handling move from the backs, after 23 minutes. The conversion missed and almost straight from the restart, Saracens replied with a converted try of their own, to take the lead.
This was short lived, as again from the restart, Tavistock hooker Will Tomkins created a good turnover and a drive from the forwards ended with lock Darrin Cole scoring a second unconverted try.
Tavistock continued to have the edge for the rest of the half, until right on half-time, a lapse in concentration led to Saracens scoring a rather soft try, to give them the lead 12-10 at the interval.
Saracens started the second half in more determined mood and much of the remainder of the game was played in the Tavistock half.
There was no further scoring until the 65th minute, when Saracens knocked over a penalty and then two minutes later, a missed tackle let Saracens in for a converted try. Tavistock went back on the offensive and replacement flanker Jude Rotton forced his way over after some solid approach play from the Tavistock forwards. At 15-22, Tavistock were right back in the game. The last 10 minutes saw Tavistock pressing hard for a further score, but Saracens defence held out, for them to claim victory.
The game was a credit to both teams and entertained the sizeable crowd right to the end.
Plymouth Roy Ellis Cup
Tavistock thirds 9
Tamar Saracens seconds 7
Earlier in the evening, Tavistock thirds played Tamar Saracens second team in the Plymouth Roy Ellis Cup final.
Tavistock controlled play for much of the game, without ever looking too likely to score tries. However, flyhalf Adam Bridgewater scored a fine 30 metre drop goal midway through the first half and added two penalty goals either side of half-time, to put Tavistock 9-0 in the lead. Saracens came to life in the final 10 minutes and scored a converted try but Tavistock held on to win.