Tavistock 27

Tamar Saracens 5

THIS victory was just what was needed to put Tavistock back on track. Tavistock are now safely positioned in the top quarter of the league, but this week they face the most important match of the season against Cornish rivals, Saltash.

The game did not go Tavistock's way from the start, however. A stray pass in their 22 allowed Saracens player, Pat McGroyne, to score. The conversion went wide.

A penalty from fly half, Adam Bridgewater put Tavistock within a couple of points, with all the rugby being played in Saracens' half.

Tavistock's first try came after Bridgewater saw winger Simon Beatty in space out to his left. He spun the ball wide and it stopped in the mud, but Beatty collected and ran over for the try. The conversion attempt missed, but at half-time Tavistock were three points ahead.

The second half was barely underway before Beatty claimed his second. The Tavistock pack powered down the pitch, rucking their way to within ten yards of the Saracens' line. The ball went wide and impressive handling from Dunstan, Liddon and Baker gave Beatty the chance to dive over for a well worked try.

The try of the match has to go to scrum half Sean Buttle. From the halfway line he made a short break from the back of a ruck, only to run into the Saracens' front row. He managed to wriggle through them all, showing blistering pace to run in a great individual effort. Bridgewater converted.

It was Bridgewater's innovation that provided Tavistock with their final try, and put the game beyond the visitors' reach. The quick-thinking fly half called a quick put-in to a lineout, hitting the ball at pace and running under the posts to allow him an easy conversion.

Tavistock know they have the ability and passion required to seal a victory in the crucial game against Saltash.

Tavistock 2nd XV 6

Exmouth 56

ALTHOUGH soundly beaten Tavistock can take a number of positives from this game. They knew it was going to be an uphill battle with Neil Cole filling in at scrum half and the majority of the side made up with forwards. Exmouth came out running the ball wide and trying to use their wingers but it was the red and blacks who scored first through a penalty by Craig Pascoe.

Shortly after, disaster struck and Ambrose Maguire had to leave the field with a hamstring injury. This saw the introduction of Tony Welsh, who has now played rugby in the last six decades, and Adrian Baker moving into the centres alongside birthday boy Mark Ninis.

Tavistock pushed Exmouth hard for the rest of the first half and turned round with pride having restricted their opponents' chances.

The second half saw the pack dominate with Andrew Griffiths and Paul Edwards making surging runs but there was just no way through the staunch Exmouth defence.

Despite the result this was a good performance by a scratch side, against a club whose first team is three leagues higher, and showed the spirit Neli Cole has tried to build this season.