Devon Schools 18 Group Cup, third/fourth play-off

Kelly College 48

Tavistock College 5

THE first match between Kelly and Tavistock since 1994 took place last Wednesday. Both teams had qualified for the Devon Cup semi-final so this was the game to decide third and fourth place in the competition.

Kelly were still nursing wounds, both physical and mental, from the titanic encounter with Ivybridge seven days earlier and seven replacements were used during the match.

The Kelly line-out still did not function although the team rucked with passion and skill.

The first five minutes saw Kelly squander three clear try-scoring opportunities as the final pass failed to go to hand. However, Paul Lidster eventually gave the home side the lead with a well-worked try, run in from halfway. Mark Slee slotted his first of four successful conversions.

This spurred Tavistock into action and they pressed the Kelly line with good vision from the outside half. However, when the ball popped loose Kelly launched a counter attack, which resulted in a fine try from Slee.

Alistair Brown added two tries when Tavistock failed to find touch and Kelly launched two more successful counter attacks.

Richard Wood scored Kelly's fifth try just before half-time.

In the second half, Kelly still looked dangerous every time the ball was moved wide and Slee, Jonathan Bourne and left wing Edward Drake added tries to give Kelly a comfortable victory.