Tavistock 1st XV . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Tamar Saracens . . . . . . . . . . . 10
WITH victories in two pre-season friendlies already under their belt, Tavistock faced their first competitive match on Saturday, drawing Tamar Saracens in the Tetley Vase knockout competition. Saracens are also in the Devon 1 League, and Tavistock play them in the league next month. The importance of this game's outcome was clear to both sides.
The game began with both sides rucking and mauling furiously. It took some time for either side to stamp their authority on the game.
It was Tavistock who settled first and the pack soon began to supply their backs with some quality ball. Tavistock have the perfect mix of youth and experience in the backs this season. Fly-half, Neil Evans, marshalled the back well and his kicking matched the kicking by scrum-half, Paul Allen, last week. Each time the ball went through the hands of the Tavistock backs they looked likely to score and the pressure on the Saracens' line soon led to a penalty to Tavistock, which Evans converted from a difficult angle.
After slightly more than 10 minutes Tavistock had a scrum inside the opposition's half. Bulky Number 8, Andrew Griffiths managed to break from the back of the scrum, passing to Paul Allen, who evaded the defenders to finish Tavistock's first try in style. Evans converted, and Tavistock led 10-0.
The Saracens' pack managed to effect some damage on the Tavistock players with some questionable footwork, and two of the Tavistock pack had to receive stitches to head wounds after the game. No doubt rucking will be concentrated on in next week's training sessions to avoid similar incidents recurring.
Tavistock replied with some devastating rugby. Scrum-half Paul Allen, collected from the back of a scrum, well inside the Tavistock half, popping it to flanker, Matt Cole, who broke through some half-hearted tackling and sent the ball wide to Sean Buttel on the right wing.
Buttel increased his already impressive score sheet this season, and sped through the remaining defenders to score an impressive try under the posts that Evans converted with ease. This left the score at 17-0 to Tavistock at half-time.
Saracens began the second half by converting a penalty for a foolish infringement by a Tavistock player in front of the posts.
An opportunist break from Saracens saw the game end with a converted try in their favour, but there was never any doubt as to which team dominated.
This week Tavistock face strong rivals Torrington in the first of their league games. The fixture is at Sandy Park and the Tavistock side will be keen to put on a good display for the home supporters, so come up and enjoy one of the main clashes of the Devon 1 League.
Anyone interested in joining Tavistock RFC is welcome to turn up to training at the club at 7pm on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or may phone Matt Cole on (01822) 854810.