Fisherman's Cup

Barnstaple U16s 21

Tavistock U16s 12

TAVISTOCK gave it everything in this physical cup and plate double header fixture. Playing for both the Fisherman's Cup and the Devon plate this was a no holds barred encounter.

Barnstaple started strongly and used their powerful forwards to drive play up the pitch. Tavistock held firm with tough tackling from Chris Watts and eventually secured some turn over ball which they ran back at the home side.

Tavistock moved the ball effectively from right to left then back to the right again where Ben Milligan made space for Watts to dart over for a much deserved score. Tavistock's defensive work was impressive with back rowers Billy Rowe and Theo Cousins ably assisted by centre Ethan Lamerton putting in tackle after tackle, with the strength of their hits often causing their opponents to spill the ball.

Tavistock looked to keep moving forward and got some good possession with Theo Cousins dominating the lineout.

Ben Milligan drove bravely for the corner after some excellent handling from hooker George Murrain and was unlucky to be pushed into touch. His fellow centre Ethan Lamerton was also held up over the line.

Barnstaple started moving forward with their forwards showing great skills, off-loading the ball out of contact. This eventually led to a score, which they converted to give them a 7-5 half time lead.

In the second half the introduction of Tavistock winger Sean Donnelly made a big impact and he made several strong runs down the left wing before busting over for Tavistock's second score, which George Hillson converted.

Barnstaple lost two players to yellow cards but despite the best efforts of forwards Harry Jeans, Cameron McKie and Ben Luke Tavistock were unable to capitalise on the extra man.

Will Gardner gave it his all on the right wing but with a lack of substitute cover when the home side brought on five sets of fresh legs Tavistock started to wobble. Barnstaple's powerful back row started to gain some momentum and the home side scored two tries in the last quarter to end Tavistock's last chance for silverware this season.

Tavistock U13s 19

Devonport Services U13s 7

TWO sides locked horns in a fierce contest for possession of a rugby ball. Both packs showed a hunger for the ball that led to a constant to and fro of possession with neither side allowing the other a moment to think without someone tackling or latching onto the ball.

Services struck first after three minutes of intense rucking, when their big centre burst through Tavistock fell off the tackle and a score under the posts resulted.

Tavistock stepped up the fight and the Tavistock backs drifted well to thwart the attacks out wide by a well drilled and dangerous set of Services backs with James Kenyon, debut winger Ollie Moody and centres Noah McDermott and Owen Staples tackling hard. Normal fly half Harry Edwards moved to full back and put in a player of the match for his tackling, kicking and yardage.

Harry Richardson opened Tavistock's account just before half time with a scrum pick up and a power over from a scrum that came from his own effort being held up over the line.

The second half was more of the same with Tavistock forwards James Roissetter, Charlie Meakin and Jack Bellamy pushing Services hard with patient pressure taking the ball  close enough for Matt Davey to spot a gap to dive over.

Lock Ollie Sampson made the hardest tackle of the game and Harry Law made some strong runs on his debut. Further pressure from the Tavistock forwards and great use of the boot paid off. Ben Mckenzie stole the ball in a Services' scrum, scrum half Dan Pett fed Luke Edwards, who put Owen Staples through the gap with a well-timed pass; he left the defence for dead and sped off to the posts for Tavistock's third. Conversions from Harry Edwards' boot completed a close fought win in a game that both teams should be proud of creating.

Kingsbridge U10s 30

Okehampton U10s 20

IN what was anticipated to be a tough match the game started in an aggressive manner.

Josh for Okehampton put in some big tackles, no matter the size of his opponent, with his first tackle into touch admirable. A scrum saw Oke captain Shea pass to Will, Saul and then Adam to pound through for his try. Will was tackling well throughout and a great tap tackle caught one player by surprise.

Kingsbridge did not waiver and a try saving tackle by Adam close to the tryline stopped them from scoring. Saul made some good runs and scored two tries. Callum and Lachs were always covering the ground in the centre and performing well in the rucks. Will made tracks and scored one try.

Ed, Shortie, Ben and Toby all made their respective marks, but as they got more and more knocked back, their hopes began to fade.

However, there was no lack of effort from the Okehampton boys.

Tavistock U10s 30

Devonport Services U10s 25

IN a first game Devonport had won convincingly despite  brave defensive work from Tavistock's Luke, Edward, Callum, Dylan and the rest of the team.

Tavistock solitary try of the game came from a piece of quick thinking from Edward, who pounced on a loose ball and sped across the try line.

The second game was a much more even affair and the Tavistock boys should be congratulated for the spirit with which they came back after losing the first match. They kept their heads, and their discipline, to come out fighting and finally they began to put together some of the flowing rugby.

Max started the scoring for Tavistock with a good individual break, and then put Luke into space on the wing from where he scored the second.  Ryan scored a third and at half time the score was 15-15.

The pace of the game did not let up in the second half.  All the Tavistock boys worked hard in defence — Callum Dylan, Luke and Sam again having noticeably high work rates and as the injury count mounted Edward scored his second and third tries.

Devonport came back at Tavistock, scoring twice to level the game and looked sure to score the winner until a try saving tackle from Callum swung the momentum back in the home side's favour.

A breathless finale saw Matthew D break through the Devonport defence to score the winner.

Kingsbridge U9s 11 tries

Okehampton U9s 17 tries

OKEHAMPTON arrived at Kingsbridge with only 10 players so played with one team and rolling subs.

They started in great fashion with good defence, turning the ball over; the ball was quickly passed out to Grady to score in the corner.

Kingsbridge's next attack was held up just short of the line on the sixth tackle and on turnover Jack W ran in from deep in his own half to beat the cover defence to score in the corner.

Matthew produced some good spinning runs and attacking awareness to score two tries. Grady popped up everywhere in support and made jinking  runs though the defence, which could not cope with his speed and flight of foot to score 12 tries.

Jack T made a great run and side stepped the last defender to score his try. The finest of all came from T J Priday who played his best game to date putting in some good tackles and getting involved all around the pitch which earned him player of the match.

Devonport Services U8s 9 tries

Tavistock U8s 12 tries

THIS was a more physical game of rugby but the Tavistock players took it all in their stride.

Michael used his pace straight from the whistle to score the first of his three tries in this game. There was some excellent tagging and defence from the Tavistock players - Matthew, JJ, Gabriel and William S and they did well picking up loose ball. Some particularly good support play from Nathan saw him score three, William A and Dominic score two each and James C and Max took one apiece.

Devonport Services U8s 10 tries

Tavistock U8s 7 tries

THERE was impressive teamwork in this game from Tavistock, with superb passing and great support play.

Tom scored a hat trick including a great diving try and Alastair and George P both took two each. Edward took some excellent tags and made some great runs, always there in support.

Devonport Services U8s 12 tries

Tavistock U8s 13 tries

THIS was a really close fought game with the Tavistock boys working hard to keep on top.

There was some really great running and tagging from all of their players.

William A was outstanding, thoroughly deserving his player of the week title. He scored four tries and was terrific in defence too.

Great teamwork from Dominic, William S, Matthew and James C who played some great passing rugby. Michael, Gabriel and William A made great runs. Nathan, Matthew and William S scored twice each. James C and Michael added one each.

Devonport Services U8s 10

Tavistock U8s 8

SOME more great passing rugby and excellent teamwork saw the Tavistock players working hard at getting tags.

A rampaging run from Charlie saw her score an excellent try. There was great support play from Austin, Edward and Joe M who took some great tags, keeping the pressure on the opposition.

Two tries each for Lewis, Tom and George M and one for Alastair.