Tavistock Seconds 5
TAVISTOCK Seconds travelled to Liskeard for their first competitive match of the new season. The pitch was in remarkably good shape after the heavy rain during the previous week.
The game was played at a good pace. Liskeard had a heavier pack which made it difficult for Tavistock to win much good ball from set scrums, although Matt Cole at number eight made a number of good pick ups at the back of the scrum to try and get his backs into the game.
Both sides cancelled each other out during the first 30 minutes, when scoring opportunities were few. The last 10 minutes of the half brought three tries, the first two to Liskeard both scored by their pacy right winger Sam Grant, one of which was converted.
Tavistock hit back straight after the second score and after several good phases of play from the forwards, winger Simon Braithwaite finished off a sustained attack with a try in the corner. This gave a half-time score of 12-5 to the home side.
Tavistock took the game to Liskeard after the interval and for 30 minutes, Liskeard were on the back foot. A combination of good defence by them and some wrong options by Tavistock prevented the visitors adding to their score and in the last ten minutes, Liskeard twice broke out of defence and scored two further unconverted tries, against the run of play, to make the final scoreline somewhat flattering to them.
This was a promising display from Tavistock, although their lineout was not too effective on the day. Ben Palmer made some good runs from full back and he and centre Charlie Harvey put in some good defensive work.
Following the cancellation of the Tavistock Colts game, three of the Colts turned out for the second XV and Jason Ward, Josh O'Neal and Freddy Thompson all acquitted themselves well.
l Tavistock Seconds' next game is on Saturday at home to Okehampton Seconds in a Devon Merit table game. Kick off is at 3 pm.