TAVISTOCK 1st XV are celebrating a rip-roaring start to the new season with two convincing wins on the trot at the new look Sandy Park ground.

On Saturday they started their Powergen Junior Cup campaign with a victory over Devonport High School Old Boys.

Tavistock were without premier point scorers skipper and scrum half Lee Greatrex and fellow half back Neil Evans,

But veteran 'Stan' Staniland and Josh Sutton stepped into the breech, in fact it was Sutton who opened the scoring with a penalty.

Good work from Tavistock's pack and excellent running rugby followed as second row Darren Cole ran in with the first try.

Devonport replied with a penalty, but Tavistock kept up the pressure, pushing towards the Old Boys line.

From the resulting 22 drop-out prop Rob Monk caught the ball and bulldozed his way through the defence, passing back to hooker Rob Sleep who left the opposition standing as he ran through to place the ball beneath the posts.

DHSOBs returned with a try, but much of the game was still Tavistock's.

Winger Paul Allen was next to score, in the corner, following excellent work from both forwards and backs.

Tavistock were surprised by DHSOBs fightback and a score from Tim Williams.

But they rallied. Duncan Law put his name on the scoresheet twice and a great catch and drive from the forwards, started by Andy Hunt, led to Sleep taking his second try.

Sutton converted all three and added another penalty, taking his points tally for the game to 16.

A consolation try from DHSOBs was not enough to keep them in the game.

Tavistock 46, DHSOB 23.

Tavistock overcame an uncertain first half against Tamar Saracens in the league.

Although they went into the second half 15-6 up they appeared less sure of their game on a new pitch which has turned 90 degrees from last season and is considerably wider.

But it was a different side that came back after the interval, running through 44-6 victors with tries from Lee Greatrex (2), Glen Martin, Rob Monk, Mark Baker and Alex Hudson. Neil Evans scored four conversions and two penalties.

Tavistock 1st XV have welcomed new sponsors this season and were handed their new strip by Langdon Transport's Brian Barclay before the game with Tamar Saracens.

This week Tavistock 1st XV play Topsham away in the league.