Exmouth thirds 0
Tavistock seconds 17
SOME fine running rugby from Tavistock in the first half, clinched victory in this merit table match.
With the wind behind them, Tavistock dominated in the first 40 minutes. The forwards bossed the set scrums and took much of the ball in the loose play. Josh Sutton at scrum half kept the back line moving well, as well as pinning Exmouth back with some good tactical kicking.
The first score came after 13 minutes, when fullback Ian Gray finished off a sustained attack with a clinical finish and Sutton added the conversion. Sutton converted a second opportunity after 24 minutes.
Exmouth were seeing little of the ball and after sustained pressure from the Tavistock forwards, a backs move gave centre Ben Neale the chance to race 50 metres to the line for a second try to the visitors after 32 minutes. Sutton added the conversion. There was no further score before half time, although livewire flanker Tom Friend, had an effort denied by the referee.
Both sides made a number of substitutions in the second half. There were encouraging debuts from Ryan James at inside centre and Oliver Thomas and Andy Astley on the wings. Ian Gray, who had an excellent first half at fullback, was replaced by Mark Baker, who was having his first run out following a lengthy lay off due to injury. Coach Steve Luffman made a cameo appearence towards the end.
In the second half Exmouth tried hard to bulldoze their way through their forwards, but some resolute defending by Tavistock kept them out.
With neither side managing to score in the second half, the game meandered to a finish with Tavistock deserved winners.