Western Counties West

Ivybridge 21

Tavistock 16

TAVISTOCK went into this match looking to complete a league double over the home side but came up short in a tight game.

The early stages saw both sides trade possession until Tavistock strayed offside to give the home side an easy penalty in front of the posts to open the scoring. Following a series of scrums and rucks, a neat pass from fly half Rich Goldsby-West released Danny Luffman but he was halted by a great tackle on the 22.

Ivybridge put pressure on Tavistock and following a series of rucks and rolling mauls it seemed certain they would go over but they were halted due to crossing. Tavistock responded and a long, high kick was chased by Simon Braithwaite who gathered, offloaded to Luffman but he was unable to break through. A crossfield kick collected by Hadfield saw him almost go in at the corner but he was brought down short of the line.

The pressure was kept on and a penalty in front of the posts enabled West to level the scores.

The home side responded and won a penalty in front that they kicked to retake the lead.

Both sides were swapping possession and not making much headway until Tavistock won a penalty that saw them set up a line out five metres out. The catch and drive enabled them to go over in the corner with front row Lloyd James getting the touchdown. They increased their lead with another penalty by West.

The home side hit back but stoic defending saw Tavistock turn a scrum five metres from their own line and then clear the resulting ball to end the half.

The early stages of the second half saw both sides struggling to break through each others defences. The home side levelled when a rolling maul from a lineout in the Tavistock 22 enabled them to drive over. This was closely followed by another try as a series of rucks and mauls saw them go over to take the lead. The backs were not seeing much of the ball and another penalty enabled Tavistock to push the home side into the corner. From the resulting lineout, the forwards drove over for another try for Lloyd James in the corner. Ivybridge hit back but Tavistock repulsed a series of drives and mauls until a penalty enabled Ivybridge to close out the game with three more points.