Launceston U13s 5 Tavistock U13s 29 TAVISTOCK took full advantage of the brief spell of sunshine between snow showers to demonstrate their team performance in the rearranged fixture against Launceston at Polson Bridge. The heavier Launceston pack was able to win most of their set scrums but the spirited efforts of the Tavistock forwards and the effective flanking by Jack Cooper enabled scrum half Frazer Bayliss to deliver clean ball to the backs from Tavistock 'put in'. Once the ball was with the backs the width of the pitch was used for accurate and quick passing which resulted in an early try from full back Jez Massy-Birch in the corner. Rhys Davies was on top form in the centre spotting a gap in the Launceston mid field defences to deliver the second try, and for the fifth try produced a half field sprint from a spectacular intercept between the Launceston centres. Jez Massy-Birch took the ball across the line twice more, once from a run down the wing and secondly from a ball passed out nearly on the line from the tackled runner. Tavistock took full advantage of their ball handling advantage in the backs to continuously disrupt the shape of the Launceston defence and create gaps to run through. The Launceston forwards' weight disadvantage was nullified in open play particularly through Dominic Dewson. Sam Pluckrose was in class form making considerable ground with the ball in hand. Jack Crozier proved a strong force with impressive ball carrying into the ruck and scrum, ably supported by Kristian Sprangle and Martin Budden. The concerted and focussed effort of the whole team denied Launceston a score until well into the second half when a period of complacency allowed Launceston back into the game putting pressure on the Tavistock line. Launceston used this period to deliver a well deserved try in the closing quarter.
