Saltash U15s 0 Tavistock U15s 27 EACH time the Tavistock team have taken to the field this season their performance has looked more polished and cohesive ? and this week was no exception. In defence the standard of tackling was high with John Martin, Marc Kerswill, Mark Webber and Euan McCall all making crunching hits. Saltash had a number of strong runners but Tavistock closed down these play makers and never allowed the opposition to play with any rhythm. Tavistock controlled the scrums with Peck hooking four against the head as the pack provided well timed drives as the locks channelled the ball artfully to the back of the scrum. From solid platforms like this the scum half Euan Smith often made clinically accurate passes for Andrew Smerdon at fly half gaining valuable territory before wrong footing his opponent and floating a pass to Mark Webber in the centre or tipping a ball to Euan McCall coming thundering through from full back position. Chris Bray, at outside centre, scored twice both from sidestepping well balanced running brushing wrong footed defenders aside on his way to the try line. This set the tone for the tries in the second half. Euan Smith and Mark Webber used the forward momentum provided by the pack to undo Saltash?s defences through clinical directional running. Tom Hancock, coming on in the last ten minutes, scored from a penalty tap running with a winger?s steely determination to power through to the try line. It would be unjust to pick a man of the match this week as the team effort was immense. The forwards worked as a unit particularly in the loose to maintain possession and recycle the ball to the backs who ate up territory all day combining clear direct lines of running and well timed passes for support players. This Sunday the game is at home against Perranporth. Tavistock U14s 22 Saltash U14s 0 On a muddy pitch with a bitter easterly wind, this game was never going to be a free-running passing game, but Tavy?s first try was to the contrary. Leeson with a deft pass set White up for his first try for the club. The second try was more a dogged forward affair James, O?Neill and Morgan set up consecutive rucks. Lane came up to Leeson on the blind-side who fought his way through to the line. There was a continual battle in mid-field, Saltash putting on some strong defence but Coe, M Smith and Calvert kept making progressive yardage. On one of these mauls J Smith got within five metres of the Saltash line. A ruck was formed. J Smith secured the ball to Lane and Lane dived over to score Tavistock?s third try. James converted. In the second half, Milligan, Warlow and Cuthbert, Tavistock?s three-quarters, despite the conditions, put in some sublime attacking moves but Saltash?s defence held firm. On a kick through from Saltash, Smerdon picked up and drove deep into the heart of Saltash?s defence but he was held up and Tavistock had a 5-metre scrum. Lane at scrumhalf picked up from the base to score their fourth and final try.
