Devon and Cornwall league Bideford 10 Tavistock 14 THIS victory on Saturday coupled with Newquay dropping a point at Truro now sees Tavistock joint top of the league with Newquay. With Cullompton one point behind with a game in hand it is getting very tight at the top and this Saturday's game when Tavistock host Newquay becomes a must win for both sides. The game at Bideford saw Tavistock dominate in the forwards but unable to break down the home backs despite the best efforts from centres Lawrence Evans and Doug Lloyd, who got little change out of their opposite numbers. When the ball was moved wider wingers Joe Land and David Goodspeed for Tavistock also found no way through. Tavistock dominated the early exchanges and camped deep in Bideford territory for long periods during the first half. This pressure was eventually rewarded with a try from number eight and skipper Jake Phillips, who with the aid of the rest of the pack, ploughed over the line from a line out catch and drive. Bideford struck back when from a scrum in midfield their scrum half broke right and his pass put full back Sam Olde in space. Olde then showed his pace to round the Tavistock defence and score under the sticks. Ollie Wickett duly converted. Tavistock re-applied the pressure but the Bideford defence held out and the half finished on level terms. The second half was in many ways a repeat of the first with Tavistock applying pressure and the Bideford defence holding firm. However, midway through the half Tavistock extended their lead when Jake Phillips got his second try, this time via a pushover from the scrum. Josh Sutton again added the conversion. Bideford got back into Tavistock territory; they converted a penalty goal from Wickett to make for a nervous final ten minutes. The result was in doubt to the last as Bideford applied pressure similar to the earlier season contest when Tavistock ran out winners by a single point. But the Tavistock defence and nerve held and they gained a deserved table topping victory. l This weekend Tavistock entertain Newquay Hornets at Sandy Park, kick off 2.30pm. Tavistock RFC invite supporters to come along and provide support for their local team in this top of the table clash.
