Tavistock 11

Cullompton 13

TAVISTOCK made the long journey to Cullompton for the second time in as many weeks on Saturday but this time it was a league game and the stakes were higher.

A poor performance from Tavistock in the previous cup game resulted in defeat, so Tavistock had a point to prove on Saturday.

The sides are evenly matched and the play reflected this, each seemingly taking it in turns to attack their opponents' territory.

Tavistock drew first blood when fly half Adam Bridgewater converted a penalty to put them three points ahead. A try for Tavistock should have followed soon after.

The Tavistock backs displaying impressive running and handling put winger Mike Liddon safely away in the corner, but the referee judged the final pass to be forward.

Cullompton were quick to take their chance, though, and poor tackling from the Tavistock pack allowed an unnecessarily soft try, which was converted. Both teams kicked penalties before half time, with little other incident, leaving the half-time score at 10-6 to the home side.

Tavistock conceded a phenomenal number of penalties throughout, many through poor judgement, but many due to what they felt were extraordinary decisions by the referee. In one decision, the referee reversed a penalty, originally awarded to Tavistock, after a Cullompton player complained of an off-the-ball incident. The referee took the Cullompton player's word without witnessing any foul play. The Cullompton kicker converted the penalty.

This incident and a firm talking to by coaches Kev Georgel and Hugh Janus, gave Tavistock a new lease of life and they began to play with the passion with which they should have begun the game.

Early on in the second half scrum half Sean Buttle was robbed of a try when he crossed the line after an eight-yard dash to be denied because the referee was poorly placed to make a decision.

All the scoring was in Tavistock's favour now, and they were clearly on top as the light began to fade and Cullompton started to flag.

Luck was not on their side, though, as Bridgewater missed a couple of penalties, one a sitter, and a fumble by prop Monk negated a five-yard quick-tap penalty.

The pressure continued, though, and second row Jim Jeffries, who had an outstanding second half, kicked through on a loose to claim a try. Good Cullompton defence denied him as he was held up over the try line.

Battle eventually managed to cross the line, displaying great pace and vision as he rounded several Cullompton players to score in the corner.

Unfortunately the angle was too tight for Bridgewater to kick and, despite a valiant fight, Tavistock had left it too late to score again before the final whistle.

Every Tavistock player will relish the thought of a return journey for the Cullompton side on March 31 and the chance to redeem themselves in front of a home crowd at Sandy Park.