Exeter Combined U16s 10 Tavistock U16 22 TAVISTOCK started like they meant business when number 8 James Lewis charged back up the pitch after catching the ball from the kick-off. Excellent play from the home side's powerful pack secured ball for the backs, who released Ben Milligan to score in the left hand corner. This was soon followed by a second for Milligan who was again provided clean possession from his pack after they won a scrum. Fly half Chris Watts darted through a gaping hole in the midfield and fed his outside backs for Milligan to again score wide on the left. Stonehouse were quickly back in the game after they latched on to a Tavistock handling error and raced in to score under the posts and with the conversion making it 10-7. Tavistock competed fiercly at the breakdown all game and captain Theo Cousins led the way with some tough tackling. Tavistock added a third try with an attack down the right flank, which released the speedy Billy McNicol to race home. Again Stonehouse battled back and after a period of pressure from their bulky forwards space was made for a score in the right hand corner and at half time the score was 15-12. The second half saw Tavistock playing with the slope and the wind in their favour. Richard Cann came on as a sub playing on the flank and made an immediate impact. Centre Ethan Lamerton put the home on the front foot after he crashed through to score inside the first five minutes. Chris Watts pinned Exeter in their half with some good kicking and Ben Milligan's tireless work chasing the kicks paid off as he scored a try of his own. Chris Watts, on what was not a day for kickers, added Tavistock's only conversion of the game. Tavistock now had a 15 minute spell where hard work from their forwards Harry Jeans, Chris Abbott, Ben Luke, Cameron McKie and Scott Morris kept them camped inside the Exeter 22. James Lewis continued to link well with his backs and the pressure told with Milligan adding his fourth try. Paignton U14s 22 Okehampton U14s 37 IT was a good, solid squad turned out for the Okehampton U14s first match of the season. With good hands George D (1 try) got right under the ball to catch it and score under the posts within a few minutes of the whistle to put Oke into the lead. As Paignton restarted Tom S (3 tries) got underneath the ball again to receive and make his way swiftly up the wing; in the resulting ruck it was turned over and brought back across the pitch. Oke's possession remained good and their dominance in Paignton's half was unrewarded. The opposition seized this opportunity and weaved through unopposed to score their only try of the half. This galvanised the Oke side and after powerful passing play they replied with two more tries from Daichi and Mo as the half ended with the score at 5-20 to Oke. In the second half Paignton returned more focused and determined. Without the tackling of new player Ethan and dogged support from Joe S Paignton could have won. Three quick tries almost within the same amount of minutes caught Oke napping. However, a chip kick from Daichi forced an error from Paignton who took the ball back behind their own line which resulted in a five yard scrum leading to Oke's Tom S charging over the line to score. Ollie B and Tom W took advantage with their straight running line which sucked in players as they both off loaded with perfect timing. Oke regained their composure again to finish on a high. Tavistock U14s 7 Ivybridge U14s 17 TAVISTOCK U14s started their first game of the season against Ivybridge, traditionally one of the stronger Devon teams. It was a quick start from Ivybridge and they scored a well worked try in the corner which they failed to convert. Tavistock then slowly improved during the first half with new recruits Toby and Charles slotting into positions in the forwards extremely well, while Archie Allen played well in an unfamiliar number eight position. Tavistock spent a lot of time defending in the first half as they were unable to keep control of the ball but some close breaks came, with Freddie on the left wing after a great pass from Jude and also an impressive run from Connor on the right wing, both moves eventually shutdown by an impressive Ivybridge defence.   The Tavistock back line of Tom, Jack, James and Zac worked well but with both teams were making some early season errors it came to half time with the score still at 5-0. Tavistock came out in the second half looking for a try and it came via a slick pass from Tom Pearson to Lochlan Fulton and then to Zac Gorton who score and converted. Tavistock had their tails up but an Ivybridge injury during the Tavistock try brought about ten minutes of stoppage time and a change of pitch, which disrupted the play and handed Ivybridge time to composed themselves and regroup. It was two more tries from Ivybridge that gave them the victory after this restart but this was a strong competitive start to the season from Tavistock and it has given them lots to take positives from. Ivybridge U13s 7 Tavistock U13s 12 THE first game of the season playing 15 a-side rugby on a full pitch saw a crackling display of junior rugby. For the full 50 minutes a ferocious physical and mental battle ensued. Possession and territory was fairly equal throughout with  Ivybridge edging the ruck contest. Tavistock matched Ivybridge for determination and skill. Ivybridge were also disruptive at line outs but Ben Mckenzie adapted his calls and combined well with Jaxom Cann at the front. Tavistock took the lead from a darting run from Henry Varndell-Dawes going under the posts with Harry Edwards converting. Several try saving tackles later from Harry Edwards, Ton Scott and Luke Edwards, Tavistock added a second try in the second half after some patient ruck work with Henry Varndell-Dawes going over again . Noah Berridge was unlucky after an interception on the Ivybridge 10 metre line and Matt Davey combined with Charlie Meakin to almost get a third but some fierce defence from ivybridge thwarted them. Ivybridge pushed hard and were rewarded with a forwards push over the line after a 10m penalty. James Kenyon saved the day by scooping up  a clearance kick just ahead of an Ivybridge winger bearing down on the ball. Tom Scott  earned himself player of the match while Noah McDermott and Lewis Smith made superb debut contributions at centre and flanker respectively. It was a great start to the season for both teams.