Western Counties West Tavistock 10
North Petherton 25
TAVISTOCK suffered their second home defeat of the season at the hands of their visitors from Somerset who eventually overcame some spirited Tavistock resistance.
Playing with the advantage of the slope in the first half Tavistock attempted to dictate the game by keeping the ball away from the larger North Petherton pack of forwards. Unfortunately Tavistock were reduced to 14 men after only 15 minutes when Adrian Baker was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.
Tavistock did eventually take the lead on the half hour when from a midfield scrum number eight Jake Phillips broke right; David Goodspeed was in support to provide the link to wing man Phil Allen who, scampered along the touchline to score. Richard West added the conversion. Tavistock continues to keep up the pressure and as half-time approached Petherton were penalised for off-side in front of their post and Richard West slotted the penalty with the last kick of the half to give Tavistock a 10-0 lead.
The Somerset side came out of the blocks after the interval and opened their account within five minutes when scrum half Ben Tracey claimed the opening try. Sam Williams converted. Petherton took the lead 15 minutes into the half when prop Matt Angel scored and Williams converted; he added a penalty goal soon after. Tavistock then had a second player sin binned and Petherton took advantage running in their third try when James Carter burst through an inviting gap which opened in the Tavistock centre. Williams again added the extras.
With time running out Tavistock attempted to claw their way back into the game with some good tight driving play instigated by Jake Phillips. However, Petherton withstood the pressure and drove the home side back deep into their own half with some good tactical kicking.
On Saturday Tavistock travel to Okehampton in the Western Counties League. Kick off 3pm