EDF National Senior Vase

Camborne 15

Tavistock 8

TAVISTOCK bowed out of this year's EDF National Senior Vase but not before giving higher league Camborne a fright on Saturday.

In fact after the game Tavistock certainly felt that this was one that had got away and that if they had played as well in the second half as they had in the first the game would have been there for the taking.

The visitors put in an excellent first half performance, dominating their hosts throughout virtually the whole half and should with their superior possession and field position have scored more than the eight points they managed.

This performance was accomplished with a re-shuffled team with a number of key regulars missing due to illness and injury

Tavistock opened the scoring on 15 minutes when after a series of penetrating runs they eventually worked Matt Witcher clear. Witcher was able to break through two tackles to score out wide on the left.

Camborne then hit back with a penalty from fly half David Mankee in a rare visit to Tavistock territory. The visitors then regained their five point advantage when Matt Witcher converted a penalty from in front of the posts.

Tavistock continued to press but penetrating runs from Lawrence Evans, Willie Brown and Duncan Law did not bring any further score.

The beginning of the second half was a flat affair with neither side looking capable of scoring. Camborne eventually upped their game and scored after the ball was moved wide to Shane Woods who dived over in the corner. Mankee duly converted.

Tavistock then started to up their game and when trying to run out of defence they were forced to concede a five metre scrum and from this Sam Bartie was driven over for the game clinching score.

With time running out Tavistock brought on three replacements in the pack Paul Greehill (making his season debut), Jacob Stevens, Tom Ewings.

The fresh legs helped and Tavy did manage to get deep into Camborne territory only for good defence to keep them out.

l This Saturday Tavistock travel to Saltash in the Cornwall and Devon league. Kick off 2.30pm.