Tamar Saracens 3

Tavistock 48

TAVISTOCK warmed up for their rearranged Powergen National Vase quarter-final against Mount?s Bay at Penzance this Saturday with a comprehensive defeat of Tamar Saracens.

This victory puts Tavistock out ahead again at the top of Devon 1 and they now require two victories from their final three league games to ensure they finish as champions.

Saracens took an early lead through a Justin Thomas penalty goal after Tavistock were penalised for an offside infringement.

This spurred Tavistock into action, scoring six tries as they sprinted into a 36-3 lead by half-time. This was achieved with some trademark play with the forwards and backs combining well to keep intense pressure on the opposition.

Among the forwards Tom Dawe was everywhere and his powerful running continually caused the Saracens defence problems. However, the narrow pitch curtailed Tavistock from moving the ball wide and playing second or third phase attacks off their wingers and necessitated a more direct approach through midfeild.

As usual Tavistock found they had just the right person in the form of Duncan Law who made good ground at centre.

After half-time the team coasted, with players seeming to have their minds on the upcoming cup game, and despite coach Chris Greatrex sending on fresh legs from the bench in the form of Steve Rush, Lee Easton and Phil Allen Tavistock only added two tries.

Skipper Lee Greatrex led the Tavistock try-scoring with a hat-trick and there were tries from Mark Baker, Phil Allen, Matt Witcher, Duncan Law and Tom Dawe. Josh Sutton converted four of the tries.

l If anyone would like to travel to Penzance by coach on Saturday to support Tavistock in their quest for a semi-final place ? which will also be away, this time not far away in Yorkshire! ? they should contact Bob Law on 890620 to book a seat. The coach will leave Tavistock bus station at 11am. Lots of support will be welcome.