Tavistock 41

Tamar Saracens 5

TAVISTOCK faced one of their most important games of this season on Saturday. A double-header, it not only gave them the chance to claw one position further up the league and away from relegation fears, a win would put them through to the quarter finals of the Lockie Cup.

With the wind driving hard into the bottom corner, kicking was an option available to one side only, and, with the wind in their favour in the first half, Tavistock made the most of it.

Fly half, Josh Sutton, kept the visitors pinned in their own half with devastating kicking. Saracens conceded several penalties as infringements in the rucks and mauls were penalised. Sutton converted two, putting Tavistock six points clear.

Tavistock's superiority lay in their powerful running and the amount of support, providing options for the ball carrier. Forwards Andy Hunt and Andrew Griffiths made a huge impact in the first half, crashing through initial contact, and setting the ball for some effective rolling mauls.

It was from just such a situation that hooker Rob Sleep scored Tavistock's first try, diving between the posts from the back of a driving maul. Sutton converted and Tavistock were 13 points ahead.

Sutton's kicking form was impeccable, and he even managed a cheeky dropgoal. This was followed by an opportunist try by scrum half Sean Buttle. Saracens were under pressure, scrummaging on their own line. The ball flew out and the Saracens' scrum half flicked it back, only for Buttle to pounce on it as it crossed the line.

Tavistock winger Barney Dunstan was sin-binned for infringing in a maul and Saracens turned on the pressure. They worked the ball up to Tavistock's line, where a good hit from winger Simon Beatty kept a flanker held up over the line. The ball was immediately spun the other way from the next scrum, however, and the Saracens winger used his overlap advantage to score their only points.

In the second half, Tavistock kept the ball to hand. Saracens tried to pin them in their own half, but each time, Tavistock ran the ball from defence, full back, Gareth Davies, linking well with the wingers.

Centres Robin Weldon and Mark Ninnis and back row, Matt Cole, made some fantastic runs, bursting through the Saracens defence to pop the ball to men in support.

This way, Tavistock worked the ball up the pitch to the Saracens' line. Slick running and passing from the back put Sutton away for his first try, followed by a good forward's try. Supported runs resulted in a maul from which Andy Hunt and Rob Sleep peeled to drive over for a fine try.

It was only right that Sutton should score Tavistock's final try. Good support and strong running allowed\ him to cross the line, notching 24 of Tavistock's points.

Tavistock stand every chance of claiming the Lockie cup if they continue to play with this level of commitment and determination . But similar displays are essential to put them clear of the relegation battle.