Devon Cup

Bideford 35

Tavistock 20

AFTER last week's heroics, Tavistock were forced into 10 changes to the side, including three players making their first team debut; Jake Chin, Ben Hadfield and Niall Murphy.

Tavistock received the opening kick-off and the pack rumbled forward linking together nicely. However, Bideford forced the mistake and took advantage kicking deep into the corner. Tavistock had the opportunity to clear their line but the pack got pushed off the ball. Bideford swept the ball wide probing the defence but were stopped by Hadfield.

As Bideford tried to recycle the ball Doug Lloyd was penalised. Bideford converted the penalty to take a 3-0 lead. Tavistock came back determinedly, second rows Andrew Kaka and Steve Long running hard at would-be tacklers. Great ball retention from Chin, who had a superb game, and a galvanised captain's display from Lloyd James kept Bideford on the back foot. Richard West took an opportunity to knock over a drop goal to level the scores, 3-3.

West well supported by David Goodspeed. mixed up the game well with excellent kicking and superb distribution off both hands. He put Tavistock into the lead with another well taken drop goal, 3-6.

A moment of magic was Tavistock's undoing. A good clearing kick was collected by the Bideford winger whose speed and a nice step beat beat five defenders to score in the corner, 8-6.

Tavistock, still playing most of the rugby, were finding holes in the Bideford backline. Strong running from centres Lloyd and Ross Batten was creating havoc. Bideford gained a turnover and quick hands had Tavistock scrambling in defence. A strong tackle from Murphy cut down the dangerous winger. However a slick move by the Bideford backs produced a try under the posts, 15-6.

A Tavistock try came from an unexpected source. Bideford were trying to run the ball out of their own 22 but Duncan Law stripped the ball from his opposite number and went on the attack. Bideford were caught short in defence and Law was able to step around one tackler and dive under the posts. West converted to make it 15-13.

Despite the score Tavistock were dominating due their work rate at the rucks, Jason Ward and Mark Friend breaking up attacks and spoiling the Bideford game plan. Tavistock went close through an inspired run from Batton and fullback Charlie Furnival showed real class whenever he was tested.

Bideford finished the half well and scored a push over try to make it 20-13. Bideford stretched their lead to 10 points after Law lost his head and gave away a penalty in front of the posts.

The second half was a much tighter affair; Tavistock growing in confidence were really testing the Bideford defence, wings Hadfield and Murphy running hard lines and always beating the first man. Tavistock brought on fresh legs Joe Hair and Patrick Hobbs. From the next scrum these changes proved to have worked as a solid scrum gave Goodspeed a small gap which he was able to exploit to score under the posts. West converted, 23-20.

In the last 10 minutes Tavistock pressed Bideford back they just couldn't find a way through. Tavistock went close with Furnival and Hobbs linking nicely. Tavistock now having a take risks threw the ball wide trying to get around the defence but the ball was intercepted and Bideford crossed to make it 30-20.

Bideford rubbed salt into the wounds by getting another pushover try in the corner just before the end to extend the lead to a flattering 35-20. Despite the loss Tavistock's spirit and character the team showed in this performance.