EDF National Vase

Devonport Services 24

TAVISTOCK moved into the fourth round of the EDF National Vase after winning at Services, who are one league higher, on Saturday.

The margin of victory should have been greater if Tavistock had not gone to sleep with ten minutes remaining, letting in two converted tries and thus ensuring a tense finish.

Services started well and put TavIstock under pressure with their quick running game. This resulted in a try from full back Carl Ranscombe which was converted by Billy Stockwell.

Tavistock then started to get their game together and after the forwards had driven close to the Services line flanker Duncan Law finished off a driving maul. James Kininski converted.

The next Tavistock score was a beauty — after winning ball at the lineout Duncan Law peeled around the front and sprinted along the touchline and provided an excellent scoring pass for the supporting Mark Kerswell, who had an excellent game.

They kept up the pressure and Services were forced to try and run the ball from deep in their own territory. This resulted in a costly error which James Kaminski pounced on to grab the ball and score a try close to the posts — James converted the try. Tavistock were then forced to make a change bringing on Will Tompkins to the wing after a reshuffle when fly half Andy Brace was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury.

Towards the end of the half Services reduced the arrears to 17-10 with a penalty goal from fly half James King.

The visitors restored the advantage just after half time with a penalty from James Kaminski and then stormed into a 27-10 lead with a try from Henry Cunningham, converted by Kaminski.

Tavistock continued to pressurise and thought they had extended their lead even further only for the referee to judge that hooker Ben Sutton had not been able to ground the ball after a Tavistock drive along the right hand touchline.

Services then hit back with ten minutes remaining scoring tries from Ranscombe and Rupert Fairweather, both converted by centre Tom Goodman.

Tavistock regained focus and regained their grip on the game to secure a deserved victory and a place in the fourth round draw.

l This Saturday Tavistock are away at Hayle in the Cornwall and Devon league, kick off 2.30pm.