TAVISTOCK RFC Girls toured North Dorset and Bristol last week-end.
The U18s had new hoodies, courtesy of Glen Duff, of Jack Chams, and both squads, coaches and supporters had polo-shirts presented by Roger Page.
North Dorset 10 Tavistock U18s 19
Thornbury 14 Tavistock 26
FOR several of the players, the tour matches were the last they would play before going on to senior teams.
With lack of match practice, Tavistock allowed Dorset to run in a try within five minutes. This galvanised the resolve to tackle harder and push further into Dorset territory.
Tavistock were superior in the forward play, with hooker Kirstie McCall taking three against the head and losing none of the Tavistock put-ins. It gave a base for Robynne Honey and Kat Hair to launch attack after attack. From one of these breaks with great inter-passing, Elsbeth MacKellar outpaced the defence to score under the posts.
Possession was key, with Lucy Lane and Alice Conn foraging for the ball and Sian Hobday always available for the off-load. Tavistock scored twice through Holly Bevan and Robynne Honey.
The following day they were back on the pitch again against a fresh team. Within five minutes they were again five points down, but soon after the restart Jess Veacock broke through to score.
Directly after a try from Thornbery, the ball came out of the ruck and passed through several sets of hands, before Lucy Lane's strength got her over the line. From close to the touch-line, player of the match Robynne Honey slotted the conversion.
In a tired second half, will power drove on the Tavistock side to two great tries from Honey and MacKellar. Ruth Blakey maintained her strength throughout and the team came away with a second win on the tour.
North Dorset 53
Tavistock U15s 5
TAVISTOCK tackled courageously and maintained many phases. Their only try came when Ali Huntly put Kerry Walke into space to score on the right.
Player of the match Katy Scorer sucked in the Dorset forwards, while Rosie Tidwall managed to stop the lightning Dorset wingers. Quick thinking Katy Cowie managed to catch the Dorset team off-guard, making good territory after quick penalties, while centre Beth Neave made three try-saving tackles.
Outstanding also was Cathy O'Boyle who turned over many Dorset set pieces.
Thornbury 25
Tavistock U15s 40
SEVERAL players will move to the U18s following this match in which seven different players crossed the line: Elsie Kirby, Sam Sleep, Fiona McCall and Beth Neave, Kerry Walke, and a brace from Jo Abel.
The pick of the tries was set up by Rachael Watson, playing in her first game at scrum half, who not only tackled ferociously, but later supplied Kerry Walke with her try.
Alice Govier carried superbly, recycling the ball on every occasion. Forward superiority gave sufficient ball for Erin Midson-Holmes and Katie Bull to show their skill to gain ground on the wings, using their speed and agility. Player of the match: Alice Upcott. l Presentation evening is on May 10 — contact Mhairi McCall to reserve (Mexican Food £5 pp).