Tavistock RFC Seconds 26

Teignmouth RFC Seconds 3

LOOKING to continue their unbeaten run, Tavistock Seconds entertained Teignmouth in a Merit League game.

Playing up the slope, Tavistock failed to secure the kickoff and the Teignmouth forwards took play well into the home half. Tavistock gave away a penalty which the visitors kicked, for what proved to be their only score. Tavistock lost fullback Ian Gray who was injured in the first passage of play and Simon Braithwaite came on to replace him.

From the re-start, the home team began to get some good phases of play together and soon had the first try on the board, when scrum half John Bellamy was in the right place to finish off a strong drive from the forwards. Nick Lane converted.

Tavistock enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, but Teignmouth proved to be hard to break down. Tavistock scored two further tries before half time, the first when Pete Davis made a good break, centre Greg Fairchild carried the move on and Simon Braithwaite took the scoring pass. Right on half time, after more good play from the forwards, Braithwaite set off on a 40 metre run, beating several defenders on the way. A second conversion from Nick Lane made the score 19 – 3 at the interval.

Despite the advantage of the slope, Tavistock failed to enjoy the same amount of possession in the second half and there were long scrappy periods of play, with neither side creating much in the way of good scoring opportunities. Tavistock did manage one more try, when Nick Lane went over after some good driving from the forwards. He also added the conversion.

All of the Tavistock forwards worked hard to contain a good Teignmouth pack, with Pete Davis; Tony Worle and James Bruna outstanding. Fly half Callum Thompson led his line well and centres Nick Lane and Greg Fairchild were prominent. Simon Braithwaite's elusive running caused the visitors plenty of problems.

Next week, the seconds are away to Honiton in a Merit League game.