North Petherton 15

Tavistock first XV 15

TAVISTOCK felt they had done enough to win with their positive three quarter play but had to be satisfied with a share of the spoils because of their hosts superior firepower in the forwards and some poor decision making which penned them deep in their own territory as time ran out.

Tavistock were first on the score board after Petherton were penalised — a Mark Hennesay penalty rebounded off the post only for fly half Richard West to pick up the rebound and gallop over for the first points.

Tavistock then lost prop Tim Childs with a leg injury and he was replaced by the evergreen Adrian Baker who had an excellent first outing. Unfortunately Tavistock lost Ade late in the second half and because of the new RFU ruling were forced to play the remainder of the game with fourteen men as they had used their front row replacement.

Petherton hit back and after sustained pressure were rewarded when right wing James Small rounded the Tavy defence for a try to level the scores, unfortunately for Petherton the conversion was missed.

Tavistock regained the lead on the half hour when winger Mark Hennesay slotted a penalty after good approach work by the Tavistock pack.

As half time approached Petherton took the lead when after a series of driving mauls, the referee awarded them a penalty try as Tavistock were somewhat harshly penalised for collapsing the maul. The Petherton full back Frank Spencer converted to give the home side a 12 – 8 half time lead.

With the advantage of the slight slope in the second half Tavistock exerted pressure and used both forwards and backs to probe for an opening.

Centre Doug Lloyd carried well and together with skipper Jake Phillips and flanker Duncan Law they asked searching questions of the hosts defence.

On the hour Tavistock took the lead when after the ball had been moved left by Josh Sutton, Richard West put centre James Kaminski into space and he scored under the posts. Mark Hennesay added the conversion.

Tavistock at this time should have closed out the game but instead allowed Petherton a number of chances and with five minutes remaining replacement fly half Dan Smith banged over a long range penalty to grab Petherton the draw.

This Saturday Tavistock entertain local rivals Okehampton at Sandy Park in the Western Counties League in first leg of the West Devon Derby. Kick off 3pm.