Tavistock Colts 37

Kingsbridge Colts 17

TAVISTOCK saved their best performance of the season to come away comfortable winners of the Devon Shield.

In windy conditions, the visitors made the first break but were halted by a timely tackle from Tom Thursby. Tavistock hit back and got the first points with a penalty from Josh Leeson.

A good take at a lineout by Joe Gosling set up a drive by Joe Hair but he was halted five metres out. After getting the ball into the Tavistock 22, the visitors regained the lead as a loose pass was intercepted and they ran in a try under which was converted.

Tavistock hit straight back as a penalty set up a line out 15 metres from the visitor's line. The take from the lineout set up a rolling maul and the dominant Tavistock pack drove over enabling Dan Oner to touchdown.

Tavistock were dominating both the lineout and the scrum and their tackling was preventing Kingsbridge with any attacking plays. Another steal at a lineout enabled the Tavistock pack to drive over but scrum half Rufus Gould was held up. A break by Jack Bond saw him make ground but he was forced out near the corner.

The home side increased their lead with another try for the forwards as another five metre lineout set up a rolling maul from which Joe Hair touched down. A mistake in the home 22 let Kingsbridge back in as they picked up a loose ball and went over for a try. Tavistock replied as a scrum on the Kingsbridge 22 saw the ball worked wide where Jack Bond drew the defenders before offloading to Monty Burdfield who forced his way over to score. Josh Leeson put over the conversion.

The half ended with the visitors narrowing the lead with their third try.

The second half started with both sides trading possession before a scrum in the home midfield saw Mark Friend break off the back, burst through the visitor defence and run in a try. Tavistock were dominating in all areas and Josh Leeson's kicks were keeping the pressure on. A forced error enabled the Tavistock backs to work the ball to Mark Friend who held off the defence to go in at the corner and increase the lead.

A yellow card reduced Tavistock to 14 but this made them more determined and their tackling did not allow Kingsbridge any scoring opportunities. As players tired, coach Will Reed brought on replacements and they strengthened Tavistock to the extent that Kingsbridge were pegged back in their own half.

The final score came from George Rogers as he received a switch pass from Josh Leeson to burst through the defence to score. Jez Cramoysan stroked over the conversion.

At the final whistle the Tavistock players and supporters celebrated a tremendous finale to the season.