Western Counties West

Exeter Saracens 30

Tavistock 20

AS in the previous week Tavistock lost the match inside the first quarter when Saracens scored two tries down the visitors' right wing, aided by some ineffectual tackling by the Tavistock defence. By half time though Tavistock were on level terms at 15-15 all with the opportunity of pushing for victory in the second half.

However, Saracens were the team to pull away to victory outscoring Tavistock by 15-5 and at the end the visitors were left to rue a series of missed opportunities often losing possession within five metres of the Saracens line.

The first two Saracens tries came from winger Darren Light and shortly after they added a third after a break from centre Matt Hilton.

This stirred Tavistock into life and they pinned Saracens deep in their own territory. When Saracens conceded a lineout inside their own 22 Tavistock cleanly won the ball via Owain Lloyd and the pack employed the driving maul to reach the try line where flanker Tom Friend claimed the try.

From the restart Saracens kicked deep into Tavistock territory, when full back Matt Witcher claimed the ball and everyone expected him to clear to touch. Matt had other ideas and set off on a 60 metre attacking run, Owain Lloyd was in support and provided the link to scrum half Lee Greatrex to crash over in the corner to round off a superb counter attacking try.

As the first half drew to its close Tavistock found themselves again deep in the Saracens 22 and when awarded a penalty the quick thinking Lee Greatrex fed second row Andrew Griffiths who crashed over for a try.

Tavistock came out all guns firing in the second half and had opportunities to score with the forwards coming close on a number of occasions. But at the beginning of the final quarter Saracens went into a 15 point lead with tries from centre Ben Croft and fly half Keiron Brommel. Full back Jack Leach converted one try and added a penalty.

With the final move of the game Tavistock grabbed a fourth try and with that a bonus point, which may yet prove invaluable in their fight to avoid relegation. Centre Doug Lloyd made a midfield break and provided the scoring pass for winger Tristram Woods to score and cap off an impressive performance.