Cornwall and Devon League Cullompton 28 Tavistock 19 TAVISTOCK'S promotion hopes took a knock on Saturday with this defeat against their rivals Cullompton. The visitors knew the way to beat their opponents was to starve them of possession and play the game tight. This they did not manage to do and Tavistock found themselves three tries down by half time and looking at a hiding. However, after conceding an early second half try Tavistock dominated the last 30 minutes, but despite scoring three tries of their own they had left themselves too much of a mountain to climb. Tavistock started well and took the game to their hosts but were unable to secure the first score. This came on 15 minutes when Cullompton winger John Hawkins cleverly chipped the Tavistock defence to score in the corner with Joe Canning added the conversion via the upright. Cullompton then increased their lead when Hawkins intercepted a loose Tavistock pass and ran in from half way to touch down. Tavistock regained their composure and put together some phases of play of their own before falling to a sucker punch on the stroke of half time. Cullompton were awarded a penalty on the Tavistock 22 line and as the visiting defence lost concentration it gave the home hooker the opportunity to stroll over for a try. A third try from Cullompton's Hawkins in the early minutes of the second half left Tavistock 28 points down with seemingly no way back. The Tavistock pack then started to dominate possession and the visitors began to play the tight game required. Tavistock got on the score board when after a clean take in the line out scrum half Lee Greatrex scored. Tavistock then upped the pressure and this allowed number eight Jake Phillips to go over for a try. The conversion by Josh Sutton brought the score back to 28 - 12 with 15 minutes remaining. In this period Tavistock were camped in Cullompton territory and with five minutes remaining Tavistock scored a third try via Greatrex, and this was duly converted by Sutton. However, time eventually ran out for the visitors, who were still attacking deep in Cullompton territory when the final whistle went. Their brave second half performance left them them ruing their sloppy first half play. l On Saturday Tavistock look to get their league challenge back on track when they travel to South Molton for a Cornwall and Devon League game, kick off 2.30. On Sunday they travel to Paignton for their delayed Devon Cup first round match, kick off 2.30pm.