Tavistock 25

Tamar Saracens 7

TAVISTOCK maintained their 100% league record after victory in a scrappy game riddled with errors by both teams.

But Tavistock, playing with the slope, did make a bright start to the game with Gareth Mason on the right wing marauding through the opposition defence on a number of occasions.

It was one such break that led to the first Tavistock try, with Mason being pulled down ten metres short of the line. The Tavistock forwards took control of the resulting maul which allowed Darren Cole to bundle his way over the try-line.

This early lead should have been extended soon afterwards with three or four good try-scoring opportunities presenting themselves to the home side. However, a combination of poor decision making and some dodgy handling in the backs meant the Saracens stayed in the game.

Apart from a couple of missed penalty kicks the Tamar side rarely threatened, meaning that the sides went into the break with Tavistock holding a slender 5-0 lead.

The Tavistock team deserved and got a good talking to at half-time from the management. It seemed to have its desired effect; mid-way through the second half Tavistock scored two tries in quick succession.

The first was a short-range effort by a forward and the second a result of a long-range counter-attack. Some solid defence in the centre from Mark Baker in the Tavistock 22 led to a turnover of possession in which the ball was quickly spun wide to Alex on the wing who made the initial break. He off-loaded the ball to the supporting Josh Sutton who fed Mike Lydon. He sped away from the Saracens defence to score under the posts.

Sutton, who also added two

penalties, converted both tries to extend the lead. At 25-0 Tavistock relaxed slightly to allow Saracens to score a consolation try under the posts from a tap-penalty move.

Although not the most dazzling performance there were some positive points. The scrum looked powerful and the lineout worked well with Andy Hunt securing lots of possession. The defence was also fairly solid. An overall improvement will be necessary as Tavistock face a difficult trip to Torrington at the weekend.

Tavistock 1st XV 10

Callington 1st XV 15

IN a furiously fought contest Tavistock ran out losers by the slight margin of five points. Tavistock began well with good positional kicking by Sam Smerdon immediately putting the visitors back inside their own 22.

Constant pressure from the Tavistock forwards meant Callington continued to spend much of the first period deep in defence.. When Callington did have a chance to clear their lines Richard Freedman charged down a kick which gave Will Brown the chance to beat off at least three tackles and go over for a try.

This seemed to spur the visitors on and Tavistock found themselves in a period without much ball possession and insider their own half. However the home side defence rose to the challenge and constant tackling from flankers Anthony De La Cour and Ian Jones deprived Callington of any chance to cross the line.

Something had to give, and Callington took the opportunity to slot over a penalty for three points.

The home side began the second half on the back-foot as they found themselves again in long periods without the ball. Tavistock began to show that this was their second game in two days as tired legs appeared.

This time something did give in the Tavistock defence and from a quick tap penalty the visitors scored in the corner. The conversion was missed, meaning the gap was only three points in Callington?s favour.

Cheered on by a huge crowd and showing their commitment the already fatigued Tavistock players found a little extra and, led by an inspirational Robbie Barwick, began to regain possession.

Barwick, supported well by Wayne Downham and Dan Haywood, all worked well in the loose, which gained territory for the home team.

From a quick tap penalty the backs used the forwards? work to great effect as Brown drew his man perfectly and passed to Alex Brown. With great pace he finished off a simple but effective move.

Callington had the last word as they dug deep and drove forward. Tavistock were again on the back-foot and Callington began a rolling maul which continued for around 20 metres and finished when they crossed the line to score the winning try.