Following tours in previous years to the Midlands, Wales and France the end of year tour for Tavistock RFC U16s of players and parents saw them travel to Cork in Ireland.

The players put up rousing performances in both their games but ultimately both ended in defeat. Both matches were against teams from the host club, Cork Constitution, who have provided many players over the years for the Ireland team,including the current Ireland fly half Ronan O'Gara.

The opening match saw them take on Constitution's Colts side in which the majority of the players were two years older than Tavistock's.

In the opening stages possession was traded by both sides but the home side finally worked the ball wide to touch down in the corner. Their second try came as a result of a fumbled high ball in the Tavistock 22.

Tavistock finally managed to gain some possession and fine runs by Elliot Northmore, Niall Murphy and Sam Lindsey were repulsed by the home defence.

Constitution put the pressure back on but fine tackling by Josh Leeson and Jack Lindsey kept them out. As the home side pressed an interception by Mark Friend 15 metres from his own line saw him sprint the length of the pitch to touch down Tavistock's first try.

The half ended with a break from the Tavistock 22 that saw Jack Bond just lose out following a chip and chase.

After the interval an early penalty saw the home side increase their lead but Tavistock replied as a forward drive, following a tap penalty, enabled Bob Finbow to ground the ball.

Constitution replied with another try in the corner but Tavistock hit back and after a succession of five metre scrums and penalties were awarded a penalty try following constant infringement by the home side. Constitution ran in three more tries with the match ending 35-17.

The next day they played a Constitution side of their own age group. The home side using their pace were soon three tries up. Tavistock were struggling to get into the game but they turned their first piece of sustained pressure into a try as Mark Friend and Elliott Northmore made ground in to the 22.

A lineout 10 metres out saw an excellent take by Josh Leeson and as the forwards drove over George Harold touched down. From the restart the home side replied with a try in the corner.

A lineout take by Tom Rickard saw scrum half Rufus Gould put up a superb high ball that the home side fumbled under pressure from Tom Thursby who gathered and then offloaded to Mark Friend who ran through to score.

The home side hit back with three more tries to run out winners by 39-10pts. Although both matches ended in defeat, the player's performance and attitude were a credit to their club and and the town.