Cornwall and Devon League Newquay Hornets 17 Tavistock RFC 8 THIS was another game where Tavistock dominated possession and field position but failed to convert their dominance into points. After the game Tavistock were cursing their luck as if they had won they would have gone equal top of the division as the leading two sides Cullompton and Truro suffered unexpected defeats. From the kick off both sides tested each other, Tavistock running the ball and Newquay using the high ball. The Tavistock back three of Joe Lane, Dave Goodspeed and Andy Wright coped well with the high ball and counter attacked to good effect. Tavistock opened the scoring on ten minutes when after winning good possession the ball was moved left and Andy Wright provided the pass which enabled Joe Lane to score wide on the left. Newquay got back into the game with a penalty goal from Ryan Johns after Tavistock were penalised put coming in at the side of a ruck. Tavistock continued to play all the rugby but a Tavistock knock-on in midfield provided Newquay with loose ball that Rob McIntyre picked up; he beat two tacklers to grab a try which put Newquay into the lead. Johns converted for a 10 - 5 lead. As half time approached Tavistock found themselves deep in Newquay territory and opted for a lineout catch and drive when a penalty kick at goal seemed the obvious decision when Newquay were penalised. The line-out option did not work and Newquay cleared their line as the half time whistle went. In the second half Tavistock again dominated both field position and possession but despite the prompting of centre Duncan Law they were unable to breach the Newquay defence. All Tavistock had to show for this period of pressure was a penalty goal from Josh Sutton who had replaced the injured Gareth Lovell at half time. The defining moment of the game happened on the hour when on a rare visit to Tavistock territory Newquay grabbed their second try. Ashley Mann fed Simon Horton who chipped the ball through for Rob McIntyre to run in and score. Johns converted. With two scores required to win the game Tavistock threw everything at their hosts but Newquay held out to secure a hard earned victory. After the game Tavistock coach Steve Rush said that although Tavistock had lost he was especially happy with the Tavistock second half performance when he felt they had played some of their best rugby of the season.