Fishermen's Cup

Tiverton RFC U16s 17

Tavistock RFC U16s 17

TAVISTOCK will be kicking themselves for letting this game get away from them. They dominated possession for large parts but were met with strong resistance from a Tiverton side that challenged ferociously at the breakdown.

Tavistock started brightly and opened the scoring with a fine individual try from scrum half George Hillson. From the base of a ruck, just inside his opponent's half, he darted down the blind side and stepped through the tackles of three defenders before scoring. Tavistock continued to apply pressure but on a couple of occasions the ball went astray in the final third of the pitch.

A knock on in the Tiverton 22 gave the home side a scrum and they put the ball through the hands of their backs neatly to create space on the right hand side of the pitch and a clever chip kick was gathered for their first score.

Tavistock started to use their forwards more to drive up the pitch with Richard Cann, Cameron McKie and Billy Rowe running strongly.

Front rowers Harry Jeans and Steve Kirby supported the ball carriers and also looked to keep their team going forward. Ben Milligan and Chris Watts kept Tavistock on the front foot with some good kicking and Billy McNicol, Ethan Lamerton and Will Gardner looked to make ground in the wider channels and forwards and backs combined to make space for backrower Theo Cousins to drive over for Tavistock's second try. George Hillson converted right on the stroke of half time.

Tavistock started the second half with intent and Will Gardner forced his opposing wing into an error and the ball spilled into touch on the Tiverton five metre line; Hillson pounced on a loose ball from the resulting lineout and a powerful drive saw the ball come back to prop Ben Luke. who forced his way over the line to put Tavistock into a 12 point lead.

Tavistock continued to push on and were unlucky to have two tries disallowed. One for a double movement and a second for a forward pass.

As the game went into its final quarter Tavistock started to tire. Full back Dan Willis, who never stopped working, kicked out of hand expertly and looked to keep his team in the Tiverton half. However, Tiverton scored a second try and then in the final ten minutes with a player in the sin bin Tavistock conceded the equalising score. They were awarded a penalty at the last play of the game but it was a difficult kick and unfortunately for them Hillson put the shot the wrong side of the post.

Tavistock and Teignmouth U15s 7

Okehampton U15s 61

OKEHAMPTON were bound to be a little rusty after recent inactivity, and their opponents used their visitors' sleepy start to match them for the first 15 minutes. However, the mixed side, made up from two teams who both cannot raise a full side, ultimately was no match for the Okes' superior power and pace.

Oke found it tough at first, but broke through after centre Joseph Stratton hit a great line at pace to carve through for the opener, converted by Ben Mckenna-Smith. The hosts then had their best spell and drew level as Oke struggled for possession. It took twenty minutes for Oke to gain full ascendancy, and it was Greg Daniel with a charge up the touchline who regained the lead. Only one more try came before the break, and it was George Ogbourne who got it after pilfering a home line out; again Ben Mckenna-Smith converted well.

The second half was a much more one sided affair, as the Okes' power ground down their brave hosts to eventually run in another six tries. Harry Cole, having a fine running game, scored the first of the half dozen.

A second for Greg Daniel followed after a pick and go from the rear of a ruck. George Ogbourne followed to gain a brace of his own, before Ben McKenna- Smith got the pick of the bunch with a scorching run in from his own twenty two. There was still time for flanker Jack Ogbourne to get a score his defensive work merited, finally followed for a winger's score for wide man Ollie Arden. Successful conversions were added by Harry Cole, Ben Mckenna-Smith (3) , Leon Horn and Corey Holliday. It was a decent performance by Okehampton.

n Okehampton U15s are home on Sunday against Brixham in a cup quarter final, kick-off, 11 am.

Devon plate

Barnstaple U14s 5

Okehampton U14s 31

IN this quarter-final of the Devon Plate sideways, drenching rain meant that handling and running was going to be tricky. However, Okehampton got off to a solid, confident start, stamping their authority early with some good rucking, resulting in some exciting attacking phases that eventually yielded a try from George Dickinson, which he converted.

Oke attacked again and again with real vigour, while Barnstaple were finding it difficult to get a foothold in the game. The visitors' second try was almost a carbon copy of the first, with George grounding and converting from almost the same spot.  Barnstaple, however, were getting the upper hand in the scrum with their strong pack, but could not find a way through Oke's defence; Tom Stevens punished them with a typically forceful run to score Oke's third between the posts. George converted to give Oke a 0-21 lead with 10 minutes of the first half still to play.  It was at this point that Oke indiscipline opened the door for Barnstaple who created space to score a well-worked try.

Okehampton kicked-off to get the second half under way, and went on the offensive immediately, winning a scrum 15 metres out from Barnstaple's try line.  Tom S saw his chance for a signature pick and go, and from this distance he was unstoppable to make it 5-26.

Barnstaple fought back and camped down in Oke's half, but a strong break against the run of play from Noah Cracknell got him to within two metres of the home side's line, before popping a well-timed pass to Jim Finley, who dived over to score.

Barnstaple refused to give up, and applied real pressure for the final ten minutes with some concerted attacking rugby but Okehampton were magnificent in defence, with crunching tackles and superb support play in the rucks.

Oke ensured a well-deserved place in the semi-final with every player giving 100% in a tough, exciting match.

Okehampton U10s 65

Newton Abbot U10s 25

NEWTON Abbot soon demonstrated their passing skills. For Okehampton Saul tackled well and was more involved in the rucking.

Newton Abbot opened the scoring but Oke soon responded when a pass from Shea to Will led to Saul scoring a try. Josh and Toby tackled well for Oke.

The visitors scored a second try and kept on the attack but the home team did not back down and some mauling close to the tryline involving Adam and Saul saw Callum score. Adam passed to Shortie and he shot off down the pitch to get the ball away from the Oke tryline covering valuable distance, Shea was not afraid to get into some tight spaces while Lachs was often at the forefront of play and Adam scored two tries. Dan powered through the visitors' defence while Finn made some good tackles. Alex chased a Newton Abbot player and managed to keep the ball up over the tryline so no try was allowed.

Captain Ben tackled well and was always around to support the other players when they needed it.

One move saw Will tackled and when the ball was dropped Jacob was on hand to scoop it up and pass it on to Ed, who was unlucky not to score after a foot went into touch. Flynn though darted through the players for a cracking try. Ed and Ben kept the pressure on the visitors and Ed also made the pass to Alex for him to score.

Newton Abbot themselves scored three tries in this half.

A pass from Shea led to Adam, supported by Saul, who barged through to score. This was followed by a period of messy play as the ball got slippery in the rain.

The final phase of play saw Jacob rucking well, play was much on the tryline before a Newton Abbot player dropped the ball and it was swiftly swooped on by Alex for a try. There were more tries for Oke from Josh, Saul and Adam.

Torpoint Tigers U10s

Tavistock U10s  

TAVISTOCK travelled to Torpoint to play newcomers to rugby the Torpoint Tigers. They have not been running long but are doing well and next year no doubt will give the rest of the teams a run for their money. 

The game started in heavy, misty drizzle and the first half was one way traffic right from the off. Tavistock showed their experience and much improved mauling skills. The newcomers were just not able to curb the flamboyant runs by the likes of Luke Tyler, Sam Mitchell, Eddie Mills and the superior tackling of the Tavistock side.  

For the second half  the teams were mixed up with Tavistock boys Chris, Callum, Luke and Dylan joining Torpoint.  They made an immediate impact as Callum and Luke combined for Luke's first try.

Dylan was determined to maul his way the entire length of the field and repeatedly made good yards with this tactic.  Eddie scored for Tavistock but the reinforced home side now had the upper hand.  

Luke attacked twice down the wing only for Eddie to make two try-saving tackles. Moments later Luke returned the favour bringing Eddie down with a thumping tackle of his own.  

Dylan's maul-fest paid off as he scored and then Luke pounced on a loose ball in the try zone to score another.  The Torpoint players chipped in with a couple of tries and Luke completed his hat-trick, scoring the last try of the game.  

Okehampton U9s 21 tries

Newton Abbott U9s 7 tries

OKEHAMPTON Reds started well with quick ball being moved around to pitch for a couple of early tries. The Reds' defence was solid and stopped Newton Abbot attacking in any form.

The Oke Blues carried on where the Reds left off with great pressure in defence and some good attacking lines. Grady and Oliver where making some good runs for Oke supported well by Cain and Daniel, who also made good ground. Cameron and Harry popped up with a couple of good tries.

It was a good solid performance from the Oke boys after a few weeks off because of the weather.

Okehampton tries: Grady (8), Oliver (3), Cain (4), Cameron (2), Jack W(2) and Billy and Harry one each.