TAVISTOCK's talented Under 11 rugby side put on a wonderful display of grit and determination to take the Devon RFU county festival title for the second year in succession last Sunday.
Played on the home pitches, the team fought hard throughout the qualifying rounds conceding just three tries throughout the entire tournament.
Tavistock 35
Crediton 0
The opening match proved the easiest and Tavistock totally dominated the game.
Tries were scored by Thomas Ewings, Thomas Honey and a hat-trick from hooker Jo Hayes. They were all converted with ease by Honey.
James Lawson was superb, setting up the majority of scoring opportunities.
Tavistock 21
Sidmouth 7
Complacency nearly caught Tavistock out with a series of sloppy play in the first half allowing Sidmouth a well deserved try.
Lawson took Tavistock's opening try, the second coming from David Williams.
Tom Campbell made stunning try saving tackles — Hayes also defended strongly.
Tavistock's final try came from a powerful drive by captain Alex Pickard — all tries converted by Honey.
Tavistock 7
Barnstaple 0
Tavistock really fought hard to take this game and began to get their focus back when faced with strong opposition.
There was excellent defensive play from Hayes, Pickard and Williams, with Ian Court putting in some good tackles.
Hayes took the only try of the match in the dying moments, converted by Honey.
Semi-final
Tavistock 14
Ivybridge 14
With both teams desperately going for every opportunity, this game was tense and tight.
Williams took both tries for Tavistock and tackled like a demon. Jack Newton was in superb form and defended strongly, as did Campbell. Honey converted both tries, despite an increasingly strong cross wind.
The match was awarded to Tavistock after three minutes of extra time, when Ivybridge withdrew their team due to injuries.
Final
Tavistock 7
Teignmouth 0
Fittingly, Tavistock saved their best rugby for the final, a game played with tremendous skill by both teams.
James Frappell had a great run, narrowly missing a try, excellent defensive play came from Pickard, Hayes and Newton.
The only try of the match was by Williams, converted by Honey who tallied up a 100 per cent kicking success over the tournament.
All Tavistock's players should be congratulated on a thrilling day's rugby, maintaining a winning record any team would be proud of.
Team: Tom Barrow, Thomas Friend, Jack Newton, Jo Hayes, Alex Pickard, Thomas Ewings, James Frappell, Tom Campbell, Toby Huntington-Whitely, James Lawson, Thomas Honey, David Williams, Ian Court.