Devonport Services 2nd XV 20

Tavistock 2nd XV 26

TAVISTOCK seconds played two games last week. The first, at the Rectory under lights, was a pulsating match which saw the return of Adrian Towl to the fray.

The game began badly for Tavistock, who found themselves 12-0 down after 20 minutes but driving runs from Dave Beuzeval and Darren Cole got the forwards going and with Sean Buttle sniping at the base some parity was achieved.

The front row of Langdon, Welsh and Monk began to fire on all cylinders and shortly before the half was up James McDowall scored in the corner, his seventh try in as many games. Martin Credicott kicked the conversion and the score was 12-7 at the turn around.

An inspiring talk during the break by skipper Mark Ninis saw the red and blacks race out of the blocks for John Mallon to score under the posts after a 50-metre break by Paul Edwards. The try was duly converted and for the first time the lead had changed hands.

Devonport tried to apply pressure but strong tackling from Paul Williams restricted them to a penalty kick. It was then the turn of the visitors to gain the upper hand and after a number of scrums in the Devonport 22 Dyfed Jones dived over to score. This had Tavistock leading by four but more drama was to come with the home side scoring after a bewildering refereeing decision.

But Tavistock refused to give in and in the last play of the game Towl put Glen Martin away to score the winner in the corner. With Credicott kicking the conversion the final whistle went and a good win was earned.

Man of the match: Dave Beuzeval.

OPOs 2nd XV 3

Tavistock 2nd XV 26

SOME changes were made to the side that won in midweek with the return of Craig Pascoe to the wing and Jim Jefferies to the second row. There were also changes at prop with John Longdon and Chris Johns coming in. Again, in the abscence of injured Neil Cole, Mark Ninis was to lead the side.

Tavistock were unable to gain control of the ball and had to wait until midway through the first half for their first try, which came through a breakaway.

The speedier Tavistock backs turned over the ball at the ruck, quick ball from Gareth Davies enabled hooker John Perkins to draw the full back and put fly half Chris Wilks in for the first of his two tries.

Tavistock began to monopolise play with driving runs from the back row of Jones, Mcdowall and Edwards and Ambrose Mcguire at scrum half. It was through this driving running that the space opened for John Mallon and Glen Martin who combined to put the number 10 in for his second try. The only reply was a penalty after fierce rucking from Jeffries.

The second half saw Tavistock dominate but fail to put a substantial score on their opponents and it was not until mid way through the half that Simon Thompson crashed over to score.

The pack continued to dominate and it was only a matter of time before they scored with Craig Pascoe in the corner.

Man of the match: Glen Martin.