Lockie Cup
Tavistock 17
Plymouth Civil Service 3
THIS match gave Tavistock two important opportunities to exact revenge on Civil for a shameful defeat in the league earlier in the season, and to go through to the next round of the only remaining competition they can win this season.
Coach, Hugh Janus, made clear to the team beforehand that greater passion and commitment were required and Tavistock, sponsored by South West Acrylics, began with all guns blazing.
From the first whistle Tavistock pack and backs worked well to combine efficient rucking with strong running. It was only a matter of time before they scored, and this came after seven minutes when flanker Paul Williams placed a perfect kick along the ground for fly half Adam Bridgewater to score. Bridgewater failed to convert.
The second try was soon to follow. A strong scrum from Tavistock released Paul Greenhill from Number 8. He went to ground and the pack rucked second phase ball for the backs. Bulky centre, Barney Dunstan, showed pace and agility, crashing and turning out of tackles to dive over the oppositions' try-line. The conversion attempt went wide.
A quiet spell from Tavistock allowed Civil to make an unusual venture into their territory at the end of the first half. Civil saw a gap and chipped the ball through. Full back, Paul Allen, went down to retrieve the ball and was caught awkwardly by an opponent, breaking his leg. A pause in the game followed as the players waited for the ambulance, but Tavistock kept their focus on the game ahead and restarted with new vigour.
Gareth Mason came on for the injured Allen, and it was not long before he had made an impression. Scrum half Sean Buttle finally found a gap to make one of his characteristic sprints for the line and looked certain to go over for Tavistock's third try. He was caught a few yards out, however, but managed to pop the ball up to Mason powering up behind him, who dived into the corner for a fine try. Bridgewater converted the hardest of the three attempts so far, and Tavistock were 17-0 up.
Just before half time. Civil fly-half Phil McAvitie slotted a long penalty kick to give them their only points.
The second half saw Tavistock defending for a 10-minute spell when a string of penalties were awarded against them. Prop John Wakeham was sin-binned for 10 minutes, but determined defence from Tavistock kept the attackers at bay, despite the one-man deficit.
A good result for Tavistock, who seem keen to build on an average first half of the season. Displays of similar commitment will make them a hard team to beat in league and cup games alike.