Tavistock U9s 30

TAVISTOCK started their programme of games for this season with a close victory.

Tavistock started with a try from Jonty Newton directly from the kick-off. Further tries followed from Rhys Davis, Aidan Mason and Connor Williams.

Newton Abbot replied with a single try, Tavistock going to 20-5 up at half-time.

In the second half Newton Abbot started with more conviction and started to close the gap. Jake Backway, Robert Groves and Felix Davis all competed well to keep Newton's chances to a minimum, but they fought back to 20-15 before Rhys Davis scored again to extend the lead.

Jonathon Parsons scored the try of the match with a superb jinking run up the right wing to put Tavistock 15 points clear, only for Newton Abbot to close the gap once again.

In the final five minutes Henry Salmon and Jonty Newton both went close to scoring only to be thwarted by determined Newton defending.

Tavistock U14s 10

Newton Abbot U14s 43

TAVISTOCK won 50% of the play holding their own in scrums and lineouts. Tavistock's backs twice outflanked the opposition with Ewan McCall showing his strength to power through the defences.

Newton Abbott scored three times in the first half from individual charges by the fly half. In the second half Newton Abbott's pack's size and fitness advantage told as they often appeared in numbers at rucks and mauls.

But Tavistock never lost heart. Rallied by captain Chris Dawe and inspired by piercing drives by Arun Churchill and Jack Hodges the team were unlucky not to put more points on the board.

Man of the match: Tom Hancock.

On Sunday the side meets in Bedford Square at 9am to travel to Kingsbridge for a confirmed start of 11am.

Tavistock U13s 7

Newton Abbott U13s 15

TAVISTOCK played with a weakened team due to injury and started with a reshuffled pack, against larger opposition.

In the opening minutes the front row of Robinson, Roberts and Lashbrook won a solid scrummage ball and a quick release by scrum half Lane allowed Milligan at outside half to work his magic in open space, moving quickly around the covering tacklers. He chipped ahead on the right wing, supported by Evans and Warlow, and the resulting chase saw the ball knocked out of his hands in the process of touching down.

The opposition started to use their strength in open play and saw Tavistock lose out in the rucks where they had to defend with strong tackling from Smerdon, Leeson and Perkins.

In the lineouts Tavistock dominated with O'Neill and Matt Smith playing to the aggressive strengths.

Thompson put in some crashing tackles, Cuthbert had to field several high difficult balls from the opposition kicks, ably supported by the cover of Jon Smith. Late in the second half, Tavistock were awarded several penalty kicks. A quick tap penalty was quickly worked along the line to the new left winger Jamie Hall who scored the try, converted by Thompson.

Newton Abbot U11s 14

Tavistock U11s 5

THE first outing this year of the new U11s team saw them cope well with changes to their game, including kicking and a five-man scrum.

The larger pack worked well together and dominated set-pieces, winning scrums and lineouts.

Full back Jack Haigh took to the new discipline of kicking out of defence with a couple of well judged punts, one of which was collected by Rhys Dunford who was only stopped a yard from the line.

Strong tackling from George Howard and Joe Hair up front and new signing Jake Case on the wing put paid to the Newton attack time after time.

Good running from Elliott Hoyte and the combination of Barnaby Frost and Josh Leeson threatened the home defence.

The Tavistock duck was finally broken when captain Phillip Snell burst through the centre from 20 yards out to score. An excellent team effort against a strong opposition.

This week back to training.

Newton Abbott U10s 65

Tavistock U10s 5

THE small Tavistock squad, missing two regular players, faced a well disciplined and able team who sportingly lent players to enable the match to go ahead.

Tavistock worked hard in defence and excellent tackling from Joe Thompson, Patrick Ferguson and Jonathan Witherstone helped contain their stronger opponents throughout a difficult first half.

Starting the second half with renewed vigour, a fine run saw Monty Burdfield link with Louis Ferguson whose pass to Edward Longden resulted in a try down the left wing.

More good passing should have resulted in a second try, this time for Daniel Romero, whose foot into touch spoiled a good run.

This first game of the season - and the first ever for Joe Thompson - showed a good team spirit and was a credit to their stand-in coach Duncan Law, who recently took over from the injured Dominic Bourton.

If any Year 5 boys or girls would like to have a go at rugby, please come to training, starting 10am this Sunday at Sandy Park.