Tavistock U16s 0

Exeter Chiefs U16s 5

AS the score line suggests this was a hard fought contest with the away team scoring with the last play of the match.

Tavistock played with superb spirit throughout. Jay, Brad and Ollie put in some good tackles and the forwards played an absolute blinder with Jo Sellars and Alec  carrying the ball with courage. Pack leader Angus again showed leadership and quick thinking in the loose  while Alex and Jo Holbrook gave them an added edge. Paul Bragg had an outstanding game as jumper in the line linking with Harry who as ever refused to give an inch. So at half time the score was 0-0.

The home crowd sensed a victory and camped down on the visitors' line. Credit goes to Chiefs for holding the line. If anything Tavistock were seen to infringe too often  with the the penalty count heavily in favour of the visiting team and as such were able to run skillfully out of defence and finally score a well worked try . Tavistock have narrowly lost the last three games and it will be a test of character to see if they can use this to bounce back and secure the win  they richly deserve.

Exeter  U15s 5

Okehampton U15s 43

THIS was a first for the Okehampton side not used to playing on an artificial pitch.

A good kick-off from Exeter created a lineout five metres from the try line.

Okehampton lost their line out and did well to keep Exeter out.

After defending superbly for five minutes Okehampton pushed the ball out wide to fullback Daniel Thorne who ran in from half way to score in the corner.

After a great kick from Jack Raymond to the corner, Conner Netherway pounced on it to claim his first try for the club.

Exeter applied the pressure and were unlucky not to score after great defending by Okehampton who held them up over the line three times to deny them a try. After some slick handling through the backs, James Bowden scored under the sticks to leave Okehampton in control at half time.

Exeter scored straight away at the start of the second half after collecting an awkward bouncing ball to run in unopposed.

The visitors hit straight back after a rampaging run from Joe Mawle who scored under the posts.

Okehampton forwards kept battering away and were rewarded with two further tries from their captain Joe Mawle. Daniel Thorne kicked four conversions.

Tavistock U15 girls 12

Winscombe U15s girls 12

THIS was an unforgettable roller-coaster match of hard rugby with heartbreak for the Tavistock girls at the end of the day.

The windswept pitch at Newquay was the venue for this third round match of the South West knock-out competition.

Tavistock clustered with Newquay were given to believe that Winscombe were a high scoring aggressive team with enthusiasm, speed and skill.

Through hard tackling and determination Tavistock worked their way into the game, easily keeping out the Winscombe attacks. A great break from Chloe Dawe followed up by Lydia Rossettier brought the play into the Winscombe 22. Rucking and mauling eventually saw Ember Jeffries over the line; Merrin Doidge converted.

Winscome did not look like scoring until lack of match fitness gradually wore down the Tavistock team letting Winscome into their own half for the first time. Effective kicking by Lily Mills pushed back the Winscome efforts but eventually a break through occurred and the visitors were back in the game at half time at 7-5.

In the second half, with Lizzie Cole and Eleanor Mills making strong runs, Tavistock brought the ball to within five metres of the Winscombe line. A scrum won against the head led to a Tavistock try scored by Lily Mills giving them a seven point margin. The game looked settled, but two minutes from time, out on the wing Winscombe capitalised on the overlap and ran through to score and converted the try to equal the scores.

Following a drawn game the teams had to select players for a conversion shoot-out. High drama at two conversions each when Tavistock's kicker hit the post and it bounced out allowing Winscome to take the match.

So having led for 90 per cent of the match, Tavistock were out of the tournament by the thickness of the post. Heartbreaking but enthralling but Tavistock played well and the luck eluded them.

Exeter Chiefs U12s 14

Tavistock RFC U12s 26

A FIRED up Tavistock travelled to Sandy Park and hit the ground running.

Tavistock  patiently worked their way up the pitch from the Chiefs long kick off, eventually releasing the backs with winger Henry Varndell-Dawes stepping through the Chiefs drift to score.

This was quickly followed by another patient build back to the Chiefs' 5m line before again spinning the ball through the backs' hands to outside centre Kiran Warner going for the corner.

The visiting backs showed their defensive skills by pressurising Chiefs' possession gained from their lightning quick turnovers at the breakdowns, to push Exeter onto the back foot and allowing Henry Varndell-Dawes to strike twice more – the second a result of his incisive  diagonal line across the back of a scrum.

The second half saw Chiefs come out fighting and turned the game, running in two tries after sucking in the Tavistock defence and striking wide.

Harry Richardson and Matt Davey led the Tavistock pack by example and Reuben Coleman and Ben McKenzie rucked superbly. Harry Edwards earned player of the match for his immaculate control of the game in attack and defence at fly half with great support and quick ball from scrum half Dan Pett.

Tavistock U12s 24

Devonport Services

U12s 0

IN a howling cross wind on a soft and muddy pitch, Tavistock  and Devonport Services faced off for a gruelling and physical, but entertaining  battle.

The game did not disappoint as it was ferocious in the pressure applied by both teams.  The two packs locked horns equally for the full 40 minutes. However, Tavistock struck first with Matt Davey bursting out of  driving maul and going for the corner, swiftly followed by Luke Edwards intercepting deep in the Tavistock half, taking the ball almost to the Services' line, feeding  the supporting Henry Varndell-Dawes , followed by a scrambled tackle and a mass ruck ending with Edward Tait pouncing on the loose ball over the try line.

The second half carried on in exactly the same vein, with Services gaining good possession but Tavistock tackling and rucking hard with Noah Berridge, Ben  James Kenyon jackling and ripping back possession.

Tavistock's third came from an effective pass from fly half Harry Edwards to Henry who sidestepped through. The killer blow was dealt by centre Edward Tait making an incisive and beautifully weighted kick to relive pressure chased by Henry, who popped the ball back to the chasing Tait for Tavistock's fourth.

Sterling engine room work came from Harry Richardson, James Roisetter, Ollie Sampson and Matt Davey complementing the backs' hands with Tom Persse earning man of the match for his control and distribution and fearless tackling at scrum half; Sam Essex and Kiran Warner played well in the front row.

Exeter U10s 70

Okehampton U10s 15

THE first game was a definite game of two halves with both teams battling to take control. With the Oke players starting to get into their roles within the team and working hard together they took control and were more to the fore in the second half.

Jacob scored the first try of the game for Oke followed by Alfie. There were some superb tackles by Morgan, Elliot, Cameron, Holly and Marcus. With Marcus and Jacob making some excellent runs and Ethan getting stuck in the rucks and mauls Oke's few weeks off had not dampened their spirits.

The second game saw loan and Josh put in some great game play and Sam flying in with tackles while Elliot and Cameron were on top form. Some great passing from Matt, Ethan, Holly, Jacob and Marcus and some great team work did not reflect in the scores.

While Exeter dominated the second game with some fast runners and excellent passing Oke's pressure was still constant and consistent.

Tavistock U9s 5

Devonport U9s 25

INCLEMENT weather conditions made it a difficult game of rugby with both teams evenly matched.

Devonport were the first to score even though Tavistock seemed to be dominating the play. Matt B scored the first try for the home team. There was some fearless tackling from Tavistock, especially from  Eddie, James and Henry.  However, it was Devonport that ran in a further score to finish the first half.

Devonport started the second half strongly but it was Tavistock and Luke T that was unlucky, when he was bundled into touch close to the try line after a long run from his own half.  

Devonport built up a head of steam and got the momentum. The home team were guilty of spilling the ball which Devonport used to their advantage and scored three times which was unanswered by Tavistock.

Tavistock U9s 60

Devonport U9s 15

THE second game was an entirely different affair. Tavistock opened the scoring with James. Tavistock looked more determined and played as a team. There was inspired support work and more fine tackling. Devonport were looking tired.  

Eddie broke the defensive line and scored. James scored another three tries followed by fine scores from Max and Henry (2). Devonport could only manage one score in the first half. It would have been two but Dylan saved a certain try by outstanding defence work.

The second half started with Devonport having to chase the game. They opened the scoring. Tavistock responded with a fine score from Henry. Two excellent scores from Luke T followed. Devonport responded with their own score. However, it was the home team that got the upper hand. It was evident that the whole team continue to improve their skills with each game.  The final score to secure victory came from Matt B.

Okehampton U9s 35

Bideford U9s 70

A KEEN home team performance was expected but it seems that the weather and not playing much lately or able to train certainly held them back.

Captain Will Oke scored the first try. Will and Lachs were tackling well for Oke allowing Shea to score his try. Toby passed well, the ball worked through the team to Shortie, who just went into touch before the try line. Adam put in a long fast run for his try. Lachs scored the fourth try at the end of the first quarter to Bideford's 3.

The next quarter saw a change of home team with Alex making several good tackles, Flynn stopped Bideford in their tracks with a try saving tackle while Ben was passing well. Saul scored three tries for Oke to match three more by Bideford.

The start of the second half saw another mix of home team. Will put in alot of effort but the visitors kept attacking and finding gaps to get through scoring six tries.

The final quarter saw another swap due to the number of home players but Bideford were attacking well and were the stronger team taking two more tries.

Exeter Chiefs U7s 5 tries

Tavistock U7s 8 tries

SOME really excellent team play came from Tavistock in games against Exeter Chiefs — making some great runs onto the ball and passing between each other. Tavistock fielded more players than Exeter and there were enough to make up three teams for five really exciting games of rugby.

Running rugby was the highlight of the first game, with some superb passing along the line. Matthew, Tom and Jack worked well together for Jack to score the first try, his first of three.

All the Tavistock boys looked for space and time after time saw the gaps in the Exeter defence. Some great runs from both Lewis and most improved player Tom saw them both score two tries each and Matthew scored one.

Exeter Chiefs U7s 4 tries

Tavistock U7s 4 tries

TAVISTOCK worked well in defence, often taking three tags in a row. They tried the new skill they've learned of running onto the ball, with Michael and Finlay working particularly well together. William A took some good tags as well as running straight through the Exeter defence to score one try. Finlay scored three.

Exeter Chiefs U7s 4 tries

Tavistock U7s 4 tries

THIS was an evenly matched game, with both sides defending well. Some excellent tags were taken by the Tavistock boys and some strong running. Dominic, William T-Y, George and Nathan all scored one try each.

Exeter Chiefs U7s 5 tries

Tavistock U7s 6 tries

EDWARD and Finlay for Tavistock formed an excellent unit, working together to set up two tries each. Joe narrowly missed out on a scoring opportunity while William A and Michael scored one try each. Charlie took some great tags in defence.

Exeter Chiefs U7s 6 tries

Tavistock U7s 6 tries

THERE was some more superb supporting play by Tavistock with the boys looking out for a pass and space to run into. Matthew worked well with player of the week Gabriel who touched down two tries. Jack scored two, always finding space with his lightning pace and Tom, who worked hard in both games, scored one.