Friendly Brixham U16s 5 Tavistock U16s 21 TRAVELLING to Brixham for this friendly fixture Tavistock were able to ring a number of player changes to demonstrate the strength in depth of their squad. With the strong driving wind and rain behind them it was the home team who started the more positive, with Brixham trying to turn possession and territory into points. But the Tavistock defence remained strong with excellent covering by Hamish and George Gibbons prevented any gains while Karl Rowe tackled everyone that ran near him. It was this hard tackling that paid dividends for Tavistock, with Matt Robins making a huge hit on his opposite number who spilled the ball; Dan Scott hacked on to collect the ball and score a breakaway try from inside his own half. The reliable boot of Sean Hill converted. Brixham responded with more pressure on the Tavistock defence, despite securing ball for their backs to run they remained unable to break through with Fran and Rhys Williams making a number of covering tackles. Tavistock were penned in their 22 when they scored another breakaway try. Quick hands from fly half Ben Loveless set up a great run from Sean Hill, who converted his own try. Tavistock were playing good counter attacking rugby, confident in their ability to soak up the pressure, secure turn over ball and turn defence into attack. This was best illustrated by a strong run out of defence from Ben Handy with a smart off load to feed Matt Robins who scampered home to score a try under the posts; the conversion took the half time score to 21 without reply. Brixham started the second half brightly and despite playing against the elements were able to secure the greater share of territory, their pressure finally paid off when they broke through the Tavistock defence to score an unconverted try. The poor conditions were increasingly having more of an impact on the game, as it became more of a forward battle with Eric Sprangle and Joe Elliott always in the thick of the action. Hard fought ball was not taken advantage of, as both teams were unable to make further impression on the score line. Tavistock continued to play with discipline and determination to secure another deserved victory.
