Merit

Tavistock seconds 36

Exeter Saracens seconds 7

THE opening minutes were dominated by Tavistock securing good line out ball through Patrick Hobbs and the home forwards working as a tight unit. From a line-out Tavistock set up their first try, clean catch and drive sending hooker Josh O'Neill for a try which was successfully converted by Ed Kirk.

Saracens had a chance to close the gap with a kick at goal but it went wide.

Tavistock put them under great pressure in the opponents 22, They broke down the blind side and slick handling from Tomkins and O'Neill put Hobbs in for his first try for the club.

The home side secured the ball from the restart and offloaded to number 8 Davis drove down the centre of the field putting the visitors on the back foot forcing them to conced a penalty; this was taken quickly and MacDowall stormed to give Tavistock 17-0 lead at half -time.

Tavistock continued the second half just as strongly and it was not long before they crossed the Saracens try line with No.8 Davis showing great strength to barge his way over.

The home side did not take their foot off the gas and found their way back into Saracens 22 and it was full back Freddie Thompson who wriggled through the defence to touch down next to the posts. The kick was converted putting Tavy 29-0 ahead.

Saracens started to break through the Tavistock defence and showed good ball retention; this pressure led to Tavistock's Will Tomkins being sin binned for continuous infringing in trying to slow the ball down. The penalty was awarded and a Saracens player darted over for a try which they converted to make it to 29-7.

Strong running from Tavistock centres MacDowall and Kirk put them into Saracens' 22 and good work from the forwards saw Davis slammed the ball down for his second try; the kick was converted and gave Tavy a well deserved victory 36-7.

n This week Tavistock seconds are away to Ivybridge, 3pm kick-off.