Devon Junior Cup Final

Honiton 20

Tavistock 19

TAVISTOCK were unable to add the Devon Junior Cup to their Devon division 1 title when they fell at the final hurdle against Honiton on Saturday.

After having beaten Honiton twice in the league this season Tavistock travelled with high hopes but found their hosts a different proposition from the team they beat on the same ground three weeks previously when they secured the league title.

The big Honiton pack made life hard for the smaller, fitter Tavistock eight and as a consequence the Moorlanders were unable to get their fast flowing game into action.

Tavistock had the advantage of the slope of the Honiton pitch in the first half but were unable to make it count until midway through when they took the lead via two penalty goals from fly half Josh Sutton.

But they fell behind to a try from Honiton full back Platt with a conversion from Alex Bralsford. Barlsford and Sutton then exchanged penalty goals at the end of the half to see Tavistock change over one point behind at 10-9.

With the slope in their favour in the second half Honiton initially put Tavistock under pressure and went further ahead via another Barlsford penalty goal and a try from Dave Wellington which was controversially converted, with some players and spectators feeling the ball had not dissected the posts.

This reverse spurred Tavistock into action and they took the game to their hosts via good work from skipper Lee Greatrex in particular.

As Tavistock picked up the pace of the game they were disrupted when No 8 Dean Shipton was sin-binned. They were eventually awarded a penalty, which Josh Sutton converted to reduce the deficit. But Sutton missed another kick, which would have further reduced the deficit.

With Shipton back on the field more forward pressure produced a try for prop Steve Rush who cleverly got in close to the posts. Sutton made the resultant conversion, which left Tavistock one point adrift with time running out.

As the competitive season draws to a close the committee and players of the first second and colts XVs, express thanks to everyone who has supported them throughout the season. They would like to see as many people as possible at the club?s annual dinner on May 14 and the annual meeting on June 16, both at Sandy Park.