Western Counties West

Tavistock RFC 10

IN atrocious conditions at Sandy Park on Saturday Tavistock were narrowly beaten by the side currently in second place in the Division and but for some sloppy passing early in the game Tavistock could easily have pulled off an unexpected win.

With the strong wind driving rain down the pitch Tavistock, who had lost the toss and were forced to use the elements in the first half. knew they had to be in the lead at half time to be in with a shout of victory. But two errors were enough to provide Kingsbridge with two scoring chances which they eagerly accepted.

Tavistock took the game to Kingsbride from the start and immediately put pressure on via the forwards. Hooker Adrian Baker was a constant thorn in the Kingsbride side and his inspired performance set the standard for the Tavistock forwards. Kingsbridge repelled the early attacks and when they forced their way into the Tavistock half scrum half Tristan Couch pounced on a loose ball for a try converted by Greg Newman.

The home side reduced the deficit when Richard West kicked a penalty. Soon after they took the lead after they stole a Kingsbridge put in at a line out. Quick ball from scrum half Alex Moy to fly half Josh Sutton allowed Sutton to put flanker Duncan Law in for a try after centre Doug Lloyd had provided the dummy run. Richard West converted.

Back came Kingsbridge and after a pass went astray on the Tavistock left Jake Chapman ran in to score with Newman again converting. Tavistock took the game back to Kingsbridge and some solid work by the forwards should have produced a second try but for some poor decision making and excellent defence.

The second half saw enforced reshuffles in the forwards where Matt Cole and James Bruna replaced Tom Friend, who had a excellent first half, and Jake Phillips Tavistock played a game of rucking and close forward drives in an effort to gain ground. Kingsbridge absorbed the pressure and turned the screw on the home defence which held firm and did not concede any further score.