Wellington 16

Tavistock 28

TAVISTOCK travelled to Wellington who are currently fourth in the South West league, for the third round tie in the Tetley Vase competition.

Wellington kicked off, playing up the slight slope, and immediately put pressure on the Tavistock defence, winning a penalty, duly converted.

Tavistock came straight back and within minutes the forwards got a drive on, Wellington were forced to concede a penalty, Josh Sutton converted.

From the restart, Tavistock took the game to Wellington, Lee Easton set up a drive into their half, the ball was recycled, a chip to the corner was chased down and Wellington were forced to concede a lineout close to their line.

Andy Hunt won the ball, the initial drive was held up, but raw power saw Jude Rotton get the ball for a try to Tavistock.

Wellington came storming back, launching into the Tavistock defence but great tackles from Phil Allen and Dan White helped stem the tide. A change of tactic with a chip over the top saw their winger just beat the cover to score in the corner.

Wellington continued to batter the defence, but Tavistock were not giving an inch. Steve Langdon, Rob Monk and Rob Sleep combined to unsettle the Wellington front row, Andy Hunt was imperious in the lineout.

Wellington were on all-out attack. A thumping tackle from Paul Greenhill and the ball was turned over; quick release to Lee Greatrex saw him turn on the gas, beating the cover to score in the corner. Wellington managed one more attack and on the stroke of half-time converted a penalty.

Tavistock kicked off the second half and immediately set up an attack. A break by Mike Lyddon was just held up but the pack were there and Andy Hunt, with three tacklers on him, stretched out to score.

Wellington threw everything at Tavistock, trapping them on their line. The defence was outstanding, but had to concede penalty after penalty, which Wellington continued to run at Tavistock, eventually the referee sin-binned a Tavistock forward.

Wellington elected for a scrum on the Tavistock line, but the seven-man scrum of Tavistock shunted the Wellington eight off the ball. A long clearance up the touchline and a great chase by Ben Neale snaffled up the cover defence. The ball was ripped out and Tom Dawe was on hand to power over by the posts. Sutton converted.

Wellington managed to get through the defence for a try. From the restart Tavistock turned over the ball and Tom Hurdwell led the drive into the Wellington 22, with the clock ticking down, Sutton tried a dropped goal, but it was charged down and as the Wellington team bore down on him, Duncan Law scooped up the loose ball and completed the dropped goal.

A magnificent effort by the whole team. Tavistock showed they can compete and win in the higher league.

This Saturday the 1st XV are back in league action with a home game against Torrington, kick-off 2.30pm.