Cornwall and Devon League

Tavistock 17

Truro 10

Tavistock played their first competitive league game for four weeks on Saturday when they entertained Truro at Sandy Park. The weather did not make for free flowing rugby and both teams struggled to come to terms with the gale which favoured Tavistock in the first half.

Tavistock started well and immediately took the game to Truro. After pressure among the forwards, second row Andy Hunt raced in for the opening score.

On the quarter hour Tavistock then extended their lead with a second try which involved some excellent handling by both forwards and backs. After the ball had been moved right number eight Jude Rotten put in a break along the touchline and his inside pass allowed the winger to race in to score by the posts. Mark Hennessy added the conversion.

Tavistock then seemed to go to sleep and instead of taking the game away from Truro, they allowed them back into the game. Truro then spent long periods in the the home side's half and were rewarded with a try from Tim Gay.

Changing over at 12-5 up at half-time and facing the wind in the second half, most home supporters were concerned that defeat beckoned.

Truro kept up the pressure and Tavistock were forced to defend deep in their own half. Tavistock lost flanker Duncan Law for ten minutes when he was penalised for an offence at the breakdown.

With their numerical supremacy, Truro grabbed a second try when second row Chris Gilbert crossed from the blind side of the ruck, narrowing Tavistock's lead to just two points.

With Duncan Law restored to the side and with fresh legs in the form of Paul Greenhill and Tom Ewings replacing Will Brown and Tim Child, Tavistock took the game back into the Truro half with some excellent driving play by the pack, where Jake Phillips and Mark Kerswill were outstanding.

After forcing a five metre scrum Tavistock were rewarded with a score. Truro fed the scrum but were unable to control the ball and Tavy scrum half Mike Deebner grabbed a try in the final move of the game.

This victory takes Tavistock to joint second in the league on 18 points with Okehampton, who have two games in hand, and Truro.

Tavistock have now won six league games on the trot and will be hoping to extend their run to seven this Saturday when they entertain Bideford (the last team to beat them in the Cornwall and Devon league) at Sandy Park.