Tavistock U7s 60

Ivybridge U7s 40

MARCUS Hoddinott opened Tavistock?s account with an incisive break before the tireless George Carter kept the home side?s noses in front with two tries.

Alex Ferguson, Nick Piper and Zak Brinkhurst probed the Ivybridge defence with strong runs, before Harry Snowden, Adam Brinkhurst and Charlie Carter finished excellent moves to develop a winning advantage.

Emmie Hoyte set up Hoddinott for another score. Matthew Dobie was a constant threat.

The key to Tavistock?s victory was the unstinting work in defence with David Northey, Chris Chapman, Matthew Brinkhurst and Tom Jackman covering hard to make important tackles and turning over valuable ball for runners Jonnie Massey and Adam Williams to exploit.

Daniel Dobie was justly rewarded with two tries, having come so close the previous week against Barnstaple, and player of the match Gavin Ball, wearing a Tavistock shirt for the first time, surged to the line to score a memorable try.

This Sunday home against Okehampton ? meet at the club at 10am.

Ivybridge U14s 42

Tavistock U14s 6

TAVISTOCK fielded a slightly under strength team who were nevertheless determined to improve on their last visit to their South Dartmoor hosts.

Ivybridge quickly scored three tries - none converted - within 15 minutes of the start. Gradually, Tavistock fought back more effectively, and slowed down the Ivybridge attack with determined defence and helpful clearance kicks by Euan McCall.

Tavistock took the game into the Ivybridge half and won ground through well placed kicks, good lineouts and some strong runs forward.

But Ivybridge responded with another try taking the score to 20-0 by half-time.

The second half started with Tavistock striking into their opponents? half of the pitch. McCall almost scored a penalty with his kick hitting the post. Soon after, another opportunity arose with a penalty awarded. This time McCall was on target.

Ivybridge put pressure on the Tavistock boys, but their defence held until another clearance kick placed the ball back towards the halfway line and was chased on to threaten Ivybridge. Another penalty was awarded and taken by McCall to take the score to 20-6.

Despite the fightback by Tavistock, Ivybridge were just too strong and a further three unconverted tries were driven over the line. A final strong run by Ivybridge was rewarded with a questionable try that was converted to take the final score to 42-6.

Tavistock can be proud to have put up a good show against such a strong well drilled team.

This week?s game is away to Okehampton.

Ivybridge U13s 8

Tavistock U13s 0

THIS game swung from end to end in a true battle between two of the strongest teams in the county.

Tavistock with their powerful forwards started early with the front five of Matt Smith, Roberts, Lashbrook, Leeson and O?Neill showing their strength and technique that resulted in a dominance in the scrums and denial of any posession to the opponents in the rucks.

With the scores level at half-time, the possession was being put to good use by half backs Lane and Milligan who started to make decisive breaks.

The second half started with a run by Tavistock using the width of the pitch and weel supported by the back row of Robinson, Bancroft and Smerdon.

With big hit tackles coming from the centre pairing of James and Thompson the only way for Ivybridge to score was from a quick break out.

Following a break by Ivybridge a penalty was awarded in front of the posts and testament of the respect given to Tavistock?s play was seen when the home side decided to kick for points rather than run for the try.

The strong back defence of Cuthbert, Hall and Warlow again stood firm. Tavistock rallied and replacements Barnes, Culvert, Jon Smith, Perkins, and Evans came on to replace tired legs and force the opposition back into their own 22. Despite late charges and attacks at the goal-line, Tavistock were unable to score.

Man of the match: Thompson.

Tavistock U11s 7

Ivybridge U11s 7

THIS was the best Tavistock showing against their Ivybridge counterparts in their young rugby careers.

Tavistock kept it tight, keeping the ball in the forwards with progressive mauls gaining good ground with superior weight.

Ivybridge looked dangerous when moving the ball quickly out to the backs, but accurate tackling from Barnaby Frost, Mark Friend and Jack Haigh stopped their runners.

Hooker Cameron Hogg?s work up front with prop George Harold made hard won ground but Tavistock?s failure to get the ball out wide left the first half scoreless.

The second half started with a great run up the line from Charlie Hubbard and a good run back from deep from full back Jack Haigh.

Ivybridge?s backs finally broke the stalemate.

The return to the field of centre Elliot Hoyte brought the score level with his strong run into the corner and his conversion of his own try.

Tavistock continued to soak up pressure with more good tackling from Charlie Hubbard and Philip Snell.

This week a local derby as Okehampton visit Sandy Park.

Tavistock U9s 5

Ivybridge U9s 15

TAVISTOCK started as if they were still half asleep ? against a side as skilful as Ivybridge this proved to be their downfall.

In the first half Tavistock seemed reluctant to compete in the rucks and a number of times possession was lost. Tackling was below par with the exception of Jamie Stephens, Jonty Newton and Rhys Davis, who all competed determinedly. At half-time Tavistock went in ten points down.

The second half was a different affair. Tavistock seemed to start to believe in themselves. Sam Northmore used his strength and power to dominate the rucks and was unlucky not to score following a powerful run. Henry Salmon was forcing Ivybridge back with his continual tackling. Frasier Bayliss and William Coulton threatened with their elusive pace and Jake Backway, Aiden Mason and Henry Kisby won loose ball and made tackles.

Ivybridge went further ahead with a breakaway try but Tavistock spent most of the half in opposition territory pressurising their try-line. Ivybridge are full of good tacklers and the only try Tavistock could produce was from a powerful run by Rhys Davis.

Tavistock U9s B 5

Ivybridge U9s B 20

A CREDITABLE performance against a side which contained first team players. Ivybridge scored virtually straight from the kick-off, but this seemed to spur the Tavistock team, with Felix Davis, Daniel Sergeant and Thomas Russon showing determination.

Jamie Gibbons and Fiona McCall fought for every ball in the ruck and maul and the rest of the half was evenly fought.

The strength of Jack Turnock and Theo Evans seemed to take its toll on the Ivybridge forwards. Just before the break the ball went loose at the Tavistock line and Ivybridge touched down to go in ten points up.

The pattern of the second half followed that of the first, Ivybridge just having the edge in passing and tackling.

Henry Kisby scored a fine try and Rory Kirkman and Robert Grove made penetrating runs which may have changed the result if they had been successful.

Ivybridge scored a further try on the stroke of full time.