Cornwall and Devon league Okehampton 13 Tavistock 20 TAVISTOCK won the second leg of the West Devon derby, avenging their defeat at the hands of Okehampton in the first match of the season. This victory sees Tavistock stay in third place in the league, four points behind Newquay Hornets but with only two matches left to play. Tavistock dominated the first half rattling up a 20- 3 half time lead but Okehampton hit back in the second period to press Tavistock close at the end. Tavistock pressed the Okehampton defence from the start and should have taken an early lead but missed a close range penalty. They did however gain the advantage on the quarter hour when fly half Gareth Lovell kicked a penalty goal from half way. He doubled the Tavistock lead soon after with a second penalty after Okehampton were penalised for infringing at the breakdown. Tavistock took the game to Okehampton and with Duncan Law, Will Brown and Jake Phillips dominating the breakdown they were camped in Okehampton territory for long periods of time. The first Tavistock try came when after winning the ball in midfield Gareth Lovell broke right and found centre Lawrence Evans whose perfectly judged pass gave fellow centre Matt Witcher space to claim the try. Okehampton came back and reduced the arrears with a penalty goal from Andy Brimacombe. Okehampton were reduced to 14 men at this point having a player sent to the sin bin after repeated infringement at the breakdown. Tavistock took advantage of the extra numbers and scored a second try, working right wing David Goodspeed into space. Goodspeed rounded the Okehampton defence and scored close to the posts for Lovell to convert. The second half Tavistock still tried to play rugby but were either penalised for indiscretions or made a series of unforced errors which allowed Okehampton back into the game. During the early part of the half Okehampton scored via two penalty goals from Lee Carey and a try from Gareth Espin to set up a nail-biting last ten minutes when they attempted to close the points gap. They forced Tavistock deep into their own half but the Tavistock defence held firm to secure a deserved victory.
