Plate semi final
Tavistock U16s 5
Honiton U16s 28
TAVISTOCK put up a battling performance in this but were outplayed by a strong Honiton side. The home side put on the pressure from the kick-off and had the visitors pinned in their own 22. However, they couldn't make this pressure tell and after working their way up the field the visitors' slick handling resulted in a try in the corner.
Tavistock hit back with some good forward drives but after turning over the ball the Honiton centre burst through the home defence to run clear and touchdown under the posts. A drive into the 22 saw Honiton clear but a run back by Dan Oner resulted in the ball being worked out to Jack Bond, who was muscled out just before the try line.
Honiton scored their next try straight after half time following an interception in the Tavistock 22. A turnover at a ruck, and good handling by Oner and Bond, enabled Mark Friend to outflank the visitors' defence to touchdown.
The visitors were putting up a lot of high balls that were well fielded by Tavistock full back Josh Stephens.
Some good handling and a kick through saw Bond chase the ball through but he couldn't get there before it was cleared away. Friend was now making some storming runs but the visitors' defence held firm. Honiton wrapped up the game with a try in the corner.
Paignton U15s 42
Okehampton U15s 0
THE final score did not tell the complete story in a very competitive match. Paignton scored three tries in the first half, two of which were from turnovers near their own line as Okehampton failed to capitalise on some good attacking play.
The second half was a similiar story with Paignton running in more tries as the Okehampton team tired. There were some excellent individual Okes' performances with Nathan Abrams leading from the front with Tom Elliott and Tom White in good support. Sam Ewen set the backs going as Okes tried to play rugby throughout the game and were unlucky not to break through an excellent Paignton defence.
Corey Burns and Luke Alden showed real commitment in one of the toughest games they have had to play in with Michael Price also having an impact from the bench.
Tavistock U15s 34
Torquay U15s 5
MONTY Burdfield broke through to score the opening try for Tavistock. With a strengthening wind, Tavistock really had their tails up, and after another well worked move, Monty broke through to score his second, which was successfully converted by Ed Longden.
Torquay were under pressure for the remainder of the half and failed to deal with the craft of Tavistock's speedy backs and two further tries followed from first Ali Dawe, and then a splendid solo effort by Ed Longden, which he successfully converted. Despite taking a 24-0 half-time lead the game was not over as the weather worsened to the advantage of a heavy Torquay pack for the second half.
Tavistock spent the majority of the third quarter pinned within their own half . However, against the run of play, Tavistock broke away with Ali Dawe running 50 yards to score a magnificent solo try. Tavistock's speed and guile was further rewarded with a further try from Ed Longden. Torquay responded with a late try but Tavistock ran out worthy winners.
Okehampton U14s 53 Launceston U14s 0
ON a warm, sunny morning, Okehampton took to the back pitch at Oaklands, with every member of the team sporting red in their hair for Comic Relief!
Launceston kicked off, and Okes' Alex Arthurs gathered the ball out on the wing, and ran all the way down the pitch to score. Liam Wilkins narrowly missed the conversion. Okehampton kept the pressure up for the entire half, and captain Josh Bush scored a hat- trick of tries, two of which Wilkins converted. With the score at 24-0, Okehampton made two changes and brought on Stephen Downing and Jo Beer for his debut. Again the ball was fed out to Arthurs on the wing, and he used his speed to cross the Launceston line, and Wilkins converted. Moments later and Cornthwaite crossed the line, and this time his try counted. Wilkins narrowly missed the conversion.
The Okes again applied pressure, with prop Matt Moyse making a good run. Dean Andrew also made good ground, and found Arthurs on the wing again but this time was stopped by the Launceston defence. The Okes made further substitutions and brought on Jack Thomas and Archie Embling. Andrew crossed the line in the corner. From the restart Luke Dennis made a great run down the centre of the pitch, and crossed the line under the posts. Wilkins converted.
The best moment in the match saw Embling make a great tackle on one of the opposition, before Andrew crossed the line again for his second of the match.
Exeter U14s 15
Tavistock U14s 12
TAVISTOCK arrived in high hopes for this quarter final match, played on a good ground in smashing weather.
However, the game was bogged down because of knock on's, forward passes or incorrect lineout throws. Exeter did show a little more attacking flair and enjoyed the better field position for much of the game. The forwards on both sides were equally matched, but unfortunately the Tavistock forwards did not do enough to secure an attacking platform. Exeter scored first, but missed the conversion. Exeter were already a little unlucky not to be ahead due to Tavistock's inability to keep control of the ball. Towards the end of the half, with Exeter down to 14 players, the ball was past out to Tavistock's Coulton on the right, who burst passed two opposing players to pop the ball to Northmore, who scored the try. Swash converted.
The half ended with Tavistock surprisingly in the lead 5-7.
The second half started badly for Tavistock as Exeter ran the ball back unopposed from the restart for an easy try. The conversion was missed. The next ten minutes were dominated by knock-ons by both teams; it was Exeter who scored but again the conversion was missed. With only nine minutes left, Tavistock 15-7 down, put severe pressure on Exeter when they scored a second try through Coulton. Exeter watched the clock run down for a deserved victory.
Launceston U13s 7
North Okes U13s 46
THE North Okes' team seemed revitalised this week with the forwards scrummagiing and rucking well. Callum B, Alfie H and Jake were excellent. The backs moved well and the game flowed from side to side of the pitch making the most of opportunities. Billy S opened the score with a try in the opening minutes and another three throughout the game as well as kicking three conversions. Giles made an incisive run and scored two tries in the first half.
In the second half Launceston opened their score with a try and conversion. Then came the next wave of North Okes' attack with tries from Kieran, Callum P, Luke L and Will. This was a good display of teamwork with forwards and backs interlinking and working through the phases.
Tavistock U12s 7
Saltash U12s 12
THE visitors took advantage at the beginning of the first half with two tries created by their pack. Tavistock started to gain more possession from better forward play in the loose and set pieces. However, the home side failed to take advantage on a number of occasions and came away scoreless from several forays into their opponents' territory.
Tavistock started to get more of the ball and a fine break from a maul by Matthew Dobie but he was tackled just short of the line by the defence. Unfortunately, turnovers in set piece and broken play were the story of the day for the Tavistock pack and they gave away too many penalties. Nonetheless the backs started to contribute well, with Barney Megicks providing territorial gains through textbook catching and line kicking at full-back.
Tavistock's tackling and defensive play improved and they reaped the rewards of sound defence through a counter-attack that came from a fine kick by Tom Jackman, who followed up with a chase that led to Charlie Carter powering over from close range. Zac Brinkhurst converted to bring the home side within seven points of victory, but despite some strong runs from Daniel Dobie and Charlie Charlton there were no further scores and the Saltash side ran out winners.