Tavistock U12s 38

Liskeard U12s 0

TAVISTOCK started with changes to many of the regular players and positions in preparation for next season when they move to 15 a-side.

With Lane and Warlow out injured from the previous week, Tavistock also dropped five of their regular players to provide useful match experience for others.

The front row of Robinson, Roberts and Matt Smith soon showed their determination with some solid scrummaging which took their larger opponents by surprise. With Rowlands and Barnes in the second row the spectators were treated to a festival of near perfect rucking and mauling.

At outside half Milligan took charge of play and set up a series of attacking moves that allowed the centres of Savage and Thompson to exploit with ease.

The score was level until a late penalty was taken quickly and James was able to break through several tackles and crash over the line.

In the second half changes were made, Leeson and Oddie coming into the second row where they started to dominate in the loose and challenge the lineouts. Hill moved to hooker and showed his versatility with several try-scoring tackles.

With O?Neill at inside centre, the crash ball scenario favoured him and he scored the first of his hat-trick of tries. His improved ball handling allowed Evans on the wing to start one of his weaving runs, supported by Harvey who was ice-cool at full back.

Further tries by Oddie and Rowlands took Tavistock into a commanding lead with conversions added by James and Milligan.

Kingsbridge U13s 14

Tavistock U13s 7

ON the Kingsbridge ground, high above the town on a blustery morning both sides played a tight game, keeping spectators guessing to the end.

Quick thinking from Andrew Smerdon raised hopes in the final minute as he tore off from a tapped penalty, catching the home side napping only to be pulled back by the referee?s whistle for starting away from the mark.

Five minutes before that Tavistock had been awarded a penalty try after Jack Hodges, on course for the line after running through half the Kingsbridge side had been ?washing lined? by a desperate defending player.

The two Kingsbridge tries which had set up this close finish had come either side of the interval despite strong defending, especially by Doug Philipson, Arun Churchill and Stuart Hoddinnott..

Man of the match was Andrew Smerdon who came on after half-time and played like a man possessed at fly half, working well with Andrew Derbyshire, scrum half for the day.

This Sunday the fixture is at home against a touring side from Leamington Spa with a meet at 11am at Sandy Park ready for kick off at noon. All parents are invited to support the team from the touchline and are welcome to watch the England International in the afternoon at the club.

Kingsbridge U14s 7

Tavistock U14s 29

TAVISTOCK played with one short of a XV, but were not short of a team and put in one of their best performances of the season.

The scoring opened with a try by Shutler - playing as an extended flanker - running down the touch-line. This was followed by a superb passage of play leading to Burton running 60 metres to score in the corner, Campbell converting. Just before the break Kingsbridge managed to snatch a try down the blind side.

Early in the second half Lawson, who had an outstanding game in his roles of full back, centre and wing, kicked a penalty putting Tavistock two scores ahead of Kingsbridge.

The cushion was not needed as first Thompson and then Ewing wove their way through the opposition, scoring beneath the posts, with Campbell and Lawson converting.

Though the backs got the glory it was the hard work of the forwards that helped them achieve it. The front row of Pickard, Vella and Walker was rock solid; the second row of Jenns and Hickman worked hard in the loose and the back row of Shutler, Edwards and Frost always kept Kingsbridge on the back foot.

Exeter Saracens U16s 50

Tavistock U16s 10

TAVISTOCK travelled to Exeter with a relatively inexperienced set of threequarters to play a team with outstanding backs but put up a brave fight. The journey seemed to affect the pack which did not really start to fire until the second half. Colin Walker deserved his man-of-the-match award after showing ball carrying, tackling and rucking skills and never giving up.

Sam Morton switched from number 8 to stand off in the second half and powered over for two tries. Branfield rucked well and Derges cover tackled but even he could not catch their fleet threes every time.

Some good lineout ball from Derges and Lawson allowed Tavistock to threaten the home try line on a number of occasions. The ball was moved constantly about the pitch by a slick set of Saracens backs which the pack could not keep pace with and, as the game progressed, took increasing advantage of a tiring and poorly positioned defence.