Western Counties league

Tavistock 12

Penryn 8

TAVISTOCK played their first league game in five weeks at Sandy Park on Saturday and recorded their first win double of the season beating Penryn in a tense low scoring affair.

The home side started well and were soon in their opponents half but a number of unforced errors by Tavistock saw Penryn gain good field position and take the lead with a penalty goal from Colin Pascoe after Tavistock had been penalised at the breakdown.

Tavistock then hit back with a score of their own. Penryn had a scrum five metres from their own line and after they had failed to secure possession Josh Sutton hacked the ball over the line to claim the try.

With the aid of the Sandy Park slope Penryn kept Tavistock pinned in the own half during the second quarter and some sound defence was required to keep the visitors out.

Flankers Duncan Law and Tom Friend had excellent defensive games as did centres Will Brown and James Kaminski. Penryn did, however, go into the break ahead thanks to a try from Richard Hinchley.

In the third quarter it was Tavistock's turn to keep Penryn penned in their own half. After some excellent forward pressure Tavistock got their second try from a pushover scrum, Josh Sutton just claiming the touch down ahead of Matt Cole. Fly half Richard West duly converted.

Tavistock kept up the pressure in the scrums with front row forwards Matt Martin, Jordan and Chris Johns dominating their opposite numbers.

As both sides began to tire numerous penalties were conceded and Tavistock at one time needed to desperately defend their own line to secure this important win which lifts them to fourth from bottom.

l This Saturday Tavistock entertains Withycombe at Sandy Park in the Western Counties League when they will be looking to continue their winning ways and to move away from the relegation zone. Kick off 2.30pm.

l DESPITE the win against Penryn this week Tavistock Rugby Club asked Steve Rush to step down from his post as club coach.

Club chairman Nigel Larcombe-Williams said: 'The committee met on Monday, having considered Steve's position for some weeks. It was a decision by the committee to ask Steve to step down after four years and we thank him for his hard work and the tremendous job he has done for the club.'

Mr Larcombe, who is a personal friend of Steve Rush, added that it was a very difficult decision for the committee to make.

He said: 'Steve is a great guy and has done a superb job for Tavistock Rugby Club but the committee felt now is the time for the club to go in a new direction in terms of a fresh approach to playing and coaching.'

Steve Luffman and Lee Webber will now take over first team coaching duties until at least the end of the season.