Plymouth Combination Ellis Cup
Tavistock thirds 45
Devonport High School Old Boys seconds 7
TAVISTOCK thirds put together a spirited performance, to reach the final of the cup, for the second year running.
Although up against a much heavier pack, the Tavistock forwards played with great commitment.
The home threequarters were well marshalled by half backs, Richard Staniland and Gareth Mason.
Tavistock went on the offensive from the start and ran in four tries in the first 30 minutes. Lock, Sam Lawson barged his way over for the first. Next, was a fine individual try from Mason. A good run from wing Charlie Harvey produced the scoring pass for centre Paul Dunstan to run in the third try.
Then another elusive run from Mason for the fourth. Mason converted two of the tries, to give Tavistock a halftime lead of 24-0.
Tavistock continued to dominate in the second half, although a succession of their players were sent to the sin bin by the referee.
Despite this, the home side kept the visitors pinned back in their own half for virtually the whole 40 minutes and scored three further tries.
The first through Paul Dunstan and, after a storming run from replacement lock, Lee Easton, Gareth Mason completed his hat-trick. Skipper and prop, Eric Sprangle blasted his way through the Old Boys' defence with the last move of the match.
All three second half tries were converted, two by Mason and one by Ambrose McGuire. The visitors scored a consolation converted try, two minutes from time, to prevent a whitewash.
Although there were some fine individual performances, this was essentially a solid all round team effort, with the reward a place in the final, to be played at Devonport Services ground on Wednesday, May 5, kick off 6pm.