Pirates Amateurs 15

Tavistock 18

THE conditions in Cornwall were not conducive to open rugby with a boggy pitch and repeated hail storms causing havoc with the normal slick handling displayed at this level of rugby.

Tavistock started against the elements and found themselves under pressure from a huge pack. The Pirates forward orientated style, although not pretty, proved effective causing Tavistock to camp on their own line. A moment of indiscipline leading to a penalty and gave a 3-0 lead to the Pirates.

Further pressure from the huge Cornish pack found Tavistock again camped on their line. As the pressure mounted seasoned campaigner Andrew Griffiths let the red mist descend and was sent for a 10 minute rest. At the resulting penalty Richard West committed a professional foul and was lucky to only receive a yellow card. West joined Griffiths for a 10 minute break leaving Tavistock with only 13 players. Two tries in quick succession from the giant Cornish forwards left the home side 15-0 in front.

On returning to a full 15 Tavistock clawed their way back into the game. Duncan Law impresed at inside centre while centre partner Ross Batten troubled the Cornish defence resulting in an infringement. West stepped up to strike over the penalty and at half time it was 15-3 to the home team.

In the second half Tavistock took advantage of the elements to apply constant pressure in the Pirates 22. Matt Martin and new second row partnership of Andrew Schuttkacher and Mark Friend punched well above their weight in an effort to nullify the Pirates enormous pack. It was only a matter of time until excellent work from Jake Chin led to a breakthrough for the away team. Quick ball fed to the pacey backs enabled George Rodgers to score handsomely. West added the extras, 15-10.

With the clock ticking away Tavistock piled on the pressure. Pirates were forced to give away a penalty on the 10 metre line, well within the range of West's boot and he made it 15-13. A moment of individual brilliance from Dan Luffman saw him hit the back line from full back, changing pace and direction and diving over the line for the match winner. Tavistock defended brilliantly for the last five minutes of the game to take a hard earned away win. A notable performance came from Will Tomkins who put in a faultless performance from the bench.