Tavistock U15s 15

Barnstaple U15s 12

THIS was not the game for the faint hearted and for the first 15 minutes of this pulsating encounter Tavistock kept Barnstaple from scoring with a superb defensive effort.

Eventually the pressure told as D Giblett finally crashed through from a five metre tap penalty — a score Barnstaple, well deserved, but they missed the conversion.

Immediately after the restart Tavistock went on the attack, producing a series of well executed tight phases, to slowly move towards the opposition try line.

Although Barnstaple had enjoyed the early pressure and territory, this was clearly going to be a tight, hard fought game.

Tavistock's forwards were producing their best performances of the season so far, with all hitting the break down with real conviction. This in turn gave the backs time and their running game was superb

Tavistock finally, after ruck after ruck, moved to within touching distance of the posts and patiently waited to release the ball at just the right time for C Swash to break one tackle to score, conversion missed.

Tavistock's reply to their early setback was emphatic when G Glover, a newcomer to rugby this year, skinned the Barnstaple defence, to score and end a lovely move by the backs move; the conversion was missed so at half time Tavistock led 10-5.

Barnstaple was dominant at the line out, winning nearly all the throw ins and therefore kicked for territory, whereas Tavistock kept ball in hand and at times had to work extremely hard to gain territory.

Straight from the kick off, Barnstaple's L Cassine, fielded the ball and crossed Tavistock's line under the post completely unchallenged. J Avery kicked the extra's and Barnstaple led by two points. However the home team rolled up their sleeves for a fight to the finish. Both teams played exciting stuff, with 100% commitment in every facet of play.

With literally seconds remaining, Tavistock was awarded a penalty, 30m from Barnstaple's posts. Tavistock's U15s won back the ball and drove deep into the oppositions half. In injury time the forwards smashed through the opposition and set up the match winning try, sweetly passed down the back's line, to be touched down by a gleeful W Coulton.

Tavistock U12s 35

Launceston U12s 21

TAVISTOCK U12s entertained a good crowd of supporters with a good away win at Launceston. A six week break since their last match had left the team a little rusty, and Launceston looked the more polished side for the first 15 minutes.

Despite taking a while to warm up, Tavistock scored first, with a great pass from Bertie allowing Charlie to show his pace and score. Christian tested the Tavistock supporter's nerves by demonstrating how hard he could hit the crossbar, and still successfully convert! Launceston came back strongly, and swiftly scored from a penalty in the Tavistock half.

Tavistock were unlucky not to score in the first minute of the second half, but followed up with three tries, all converted by Tom. Launceston came back strongly, with two excellent tries in quick succession, and never failed to capitalise on Tavistock mistakes. Despite a late score from Tavistock, Launceston were in contention right till the end of an entertaining and evenly matched game.

Ivybridge U9s 25

Tavistock U9s 0

A MISTY morning at Polson Bridge met the Tavistock U9s. It had been over a month since their last competitive match but this was their second of the season against Launceston.

Once again, the result was the same as earlier in the season with Launceston winning the first game and Tavistock winning the second.

The visitors defended extremely well in the first game being only one try down in the first half but they weaken in the second half as a stronger team deservedly took the game. There were some good performances by Tavistock's Seamus, Lochlan, Freddie and Jack.

Ivybridge U9s 10

Tavistock U9s 40

THE team woke up for the second game running out convincing winners with great performances from Olly, Luke and Tom and an outstanding performance from Lochlan Fulton who scored five tries. Player of the match went to Cian Benny for his quick thinking runs.

Oke U8s 14 tries

Bideford U8s 5 tries

Okehampton pressurised Bideford from the start producing some good performances. Oke players David Smith, Matthew Denning, George Cox, Liam Daintree and Will Cunningham all showed good support in attack. Tries followed from Dan Wonnacott 2, Joshua Burgoyne, James Stevens 2, Saul Holliday, Daniel Tomkies. Ethan Wild scored a good individual length of the pitch try and Cole Pengelly who finished off three good tries of his own.

Okes U8s 7 tries

Bideford U8s 6 tries

THIS game was tight with Oke just edging out Bideford with a hard fought win.

In the first half Saul Holliday squeezed in with another well taken try, as did Harry Laing-Taylor. Joshua Burgoyne poached and scored five tries to stun Bideford into submission before half time to complete a good consistent all round display buy him.

Two of the best performances came from Harry and Jake Laing-Taylor who both showed great strength running lines in attack and off loaded the ball quickly after being tagged.

Launceston U8s 9 tries

Tavistock U8s 4 tries

LAUNCESTON'S strong support in attack caused Tavistock to fight some desperate battles to keep the home side  at bay. Tavistock took a while to find their feet but their attacking play started to take shape with some superb passages of play in the second half, moving the ball across the field stretching the disciplined Launceston defence to its limits in an attempt to find a way through.

Some excellent teamwork and passing  lead to tries from Noah Berridge (2) , Henry Varndell-Dawes down the left and Harry Edwards from the right,

The two teams seemed fairly evenly matched but a series of simple errors land lapses in concentration letting Tavistock down at the last minute allowing the home side to capitalise

Launceston U8s 5 tries

Tavistock U8s 8 tries

A second match saw Tavistock step up the pace with more of the same intelligent use of width in both attack and defence.

The Tavistock attack were much more successful at creating the gaps and exploiting them  to the full.

James Kenyon showed great stamina in coming back from a hard knock in the first game to score two superb solo efforts.

Tavistock tries from James White (2) Harry Edwards, Louis Peake, Noah Berridge, Henry Varndell- Dawes and a well deserved one for Harry Richardson.

Okehampton U7s 8 tries

Bideford U7s 9 tries

THE Okes U7s played at home against Bideford last Sunday in cold but clear conditions.

Despite having not played in over a month due to weather and the Christmas break they started the game brightly and Joe Duffy crossed the line for the first of the Okes eight tries.

Tom and Jay were both excellent in defence and patrolled both touchlines making important tags which cut off the Bideford runners. Both players also contributed in attack, particularly Tom who run in four tries himself.

The Okes lead for the majority of the game but were pipped at the post in the last minutes by nine tries to eight.