Devon and Cornwall League Honiton 5 Tavistock 33 THIS was always going to be a battle of different styles with a large Honiton pack hoping to subdue the lighter quicker Tavistock pack. But the Tavistock pack held their own superbly, allowing their backs time and space to exploit the Honiton defence, outscoring their hosts five tries to one. On a wet and heavy pitch Tavistock played with the advantage of the slope and believed they needed to build a large first half lead to secure the game. They set about their task with an assurance not seen of late and after one flowing move involving both forwards, with Andy Hunt playing a prominent part, skipper Doug Lloyd provided the scoring pass for Sam Smerdon to squeeze in at the corner. Honiton then hit back and after some indecision in the Tavistock defence forced an attacking five metre scrum from which their number eight Nathan Hanney scored. Tavistock hit back and from a scrum in midfield Josh Sutton found Doug Lloyd whose excellent running line took him through the Honiton defence to score. Sutton converted both first half tries for a 14 ? 5 half time lead. Playing against the slope in the second half Tavistock redoubled their effort. Number eight Matt Cole dominated the base of the scrum and with flanker Tom Friend continually a thorn in the Honiton defence helping to turn over valuable quick ball scrum half Mike Deebner was continually supplied with good clean ball with which to set the backs moving. Tavistock attacked up the right hand side and some quick hands provided space for David Goodspeed to score in the corner. From the restart Tavistock delivered a killer blow. Duncan Law collected the kick and set off on a counter attacking run. The ball was moved to the right by the backs and when checked was moved swiftly left for Sam Smerdon to score the try of the match. Tavistock scored a fifth try via David Goodspeed and Josh Sutton added two further second half conversions to secure an emphatic win. l This weekend sees Tavistock with a free date but they resume Cornwall and Devon league action on December 12 when they entertain Wessex at Sandy Park, kick off 2.30pm.
