Tavistock U8s 40

Launceston U8s 30

LAUNCESTON started well and scored quickly from the kick-off. This seemed to spur Tavistock into action with Jonty Newton and Rhys Davis breaking through the defensive lines to score and take the lead.

Launceston responded with two quick tries and looked as if they would score more. However, Jamie Stephens came on and his tackling bolstered the home side?s defence.

Tavistock regained the lead with a breakaway try by Jonathon Parsons, followed by a superb individual try by Rhys Davis, who ran the length of the pitch to touch down.

Stephens and Parsons extended the lead. Again Launceston came back and reduced the deficit to one try. Captain Connor Williams took Tavistock further ahead only for Launceston to pull back yet again.

Tavistock?s defence stood firm thanks to Luke and Aiden Mason who tackled determinedly, Mason being rewarded with a final try.

Tavistock U7s 60

Launceston U7s 70

THE U7s had a

thoroughly enjoyable game with several good tries and runs of play from both sides. Launceston proved that bit stronger and won a high scoring game.

Tavistock U9s 15

Launceston U9s 40

THREE late tries from Launceston created a scoreline that did not accurately reflect a well matched game. In their first full outing of the season Tavistock showed spirit and determination against a well disciplined team.

Monty Burdfield always looked like the first Tavistock player to score and did so with a stunning run in answer to two early Launceston breakthroughs.

Edward Longden, Jack Coiley and Jonathan Witherstone held firm in the centre for Tavistock, helping to create some excellent chances that the team seemed unable to put away. Launceston squeezed another home before half time for a 15-5 advantage.

The second half started with a flurry. Matthew Edwards drove forward with support play from debutant Joshua Davey, playing hooker for the first time. But a snatched ball let Launceston creep in for another.

Hallam Bourton kept Tavistock in the game with some outstanding cover work and tackling. But the Tavistock star of the second half was Michael Brain, with two brilliant individual tries, the first straight from the kick off.

Launceston arrived with a large number of players and were able to have a continual roll of substitutes. Tavistock were obviously tiring towards the end and Launceston were able to squeeze in three tries in the last five minutes.

Tavistock U10s 15

Launceston U10s 10

SOME excellent controlled rugby was played by both sides. Nathan Alford, in his first game for Tavistock, ran through on the wing, crossed the line and, unfortunately, the dead-ball line.

It was not until the eighth minute that Tavistock broke the deadlock with Mark Friend scoring from a scrum.

Launceston replied almost immediately but the continued work from the threequarters of Jack Haigh, Cameron Hogg and Joshua Leeson putting in both passing and tackling in equal measures soon had scrum half Philip Snell sprinting over in the corner.

The second half gave the visitors the downhill advantage and they put Tavistock under pressure.

Defensive work, led by Joe Hair, pushed Launceston off the line more than once.

Tavistock won a scrum on their own line and prop Elliot Hoyte showed his speed to run the length of the pitch for a well deserved try.

The running combo of Joshua Stephens and Elliott Northmore took the ball over the line, but missed out on the points.

Launceston, after a sustained period of pressure pulled five points back on the whistle.

Tavistock U11s 0

Launceston U11 0

MATHEW Smith led the Tavistock attack with strong forward support by Ollie Larcombe-Moore and Greg Barnes.

Throughout, Tavistock secured clean ball from lineouts from accurate throws by James Grant, and Florence Huntington-Whitely released the backs with darting breaks.

By half-time both teams had come close to scoring but determined tackling and defence kept the scoresheet clean.

Launceston changed tactics in the second half with several long kicks clean into the Tavistock half. These were collected brilliantly by Pascale Burton and Jake Broome. On two occasions Broome made long, scorching attacking runs and was only stopped by desperate Launceston tackles.

With the crowd getting behind Tavistock the home backline connected with Rhys Williams, Rhys Morgan, Mathew Laurie and Alex Evans all passing and running fluently.

Sam Brockington played a magnificent captain?s game, urging his side on and came so close to scoring himself, being brought down only a metre from the line.

Tavistock U12s 14

Launceston U12s 12

WHEN Lane went over the line to score Tavistock?s first try inside five minutes one would have thought this would set the tone of the game. His quick thinking from the back of the scrum caught the Cornish All Blacks by surprise.

But Lauceston are not that sort of team and what followed was a war of attrition. Tavistock?s forwards had a wake -up call. Hill, Leeson, Robinson and Oddie found themselves on the receiving end of hard-hitting rucks and from one Launceston equalised.

Tavy?s backs needed to make some heroic tackles to keep out the black mass launched in their direction. Warlow, James and Milligan found that big first-time tackles were needed. Evans and Harvey, on Tavistock?s wing, came under constant assault but kept battling away, though even with help from Rowlands and O?Neil the defence was breached, giving Launceston the lead.

The second half continued with fierce midfield rucking and mauling, neither team giving way. Thompson tried to settle Tavistock and orchestrate his backs.

Smerdon and Roberts combined well, almost breaking through Launceston?s defence. It took a combined series of interplays by Tavistock?s forwards to release new boy O?Neil, whose storming run ended in a try. This conversion needed to go over to give Tavistock a two-point lead and James did not disappoint.

This led to some of the finest defensive work Tavistock have had to do to keep Launceston out, but they held hold on to a well deserved victory.

Launceston U16s 27

Tavistock U16s 0

ALTHOUGH having the unusual luxury of 16 players, several had to play out of position.

New squad members Simon Braithwaite, Mark and Carne Williams contributed well despite it being a physical game.

Launceston scored five tries unopposed but Tavistock were unlucky to be denied a try during several unsuccessful forays into the Launceston half.

Ian Jones had his customary all action match at flanker with second rows Lawson and Hayward working hard and showing their experience. Jones and Derges in the centre had to deal with lots of hurried ball and waves of attackers. Wingers Honey and Margrett defended well.

This week away to Exeter Saracens in the cup.