Tavistock U16s 38

Devonport Services 5

AFTER narrowly losing their first game of the season to a determined Okehampton side it was a good bounce back.

The match was keenly contested and spoiled to a small degree by a lot of niggles and short tempers.

Tavistock opened their account with a superb touch down in the corner by the flying Jonno. He was the icing on a cake which had all the right ingredients; forwards securing good quick ball and slick handling down the line.

Services responded bravely with a darting try of similar quality, but this was to be their only score as Tavistock started to break through the lines led by Charlie who always commited his opposition number. Other outstanding performances included Gus in the loose and the props Callen and Brad. Jay seemed to get more and more into the game the longer it went on.

Gutsy defence from Services and a great bonus result for Tavistock. 

Okehampton U15s 0

Tavistock U15s 43

TAVISTOCK were made to work harder for this result than the score suggests. Okehampton started strongly and their large well drilled pack gave the Tavistock defensive line difficulties particularly for the first 15 to 20 minutes.

As the half progressed though Tavistock gained ascendency and James Lewis powered over for the first of his tries from number eight. Ethan Lamerton added a brace before the break and George Hillson converted twice. Harry Jeans stood out for the away side securing 3 or 4 turn over balls at the breakdown.

Both sides had to rejig their line-ups in the second half due to injury. Tavistock's Dan Willis slotted into outside half and he soon created space for debutant Johnny Williams to score after a jinking run under the posts. The Tavistock back row of Richard Cann, Theo Cousins and James Lewis started to look good with the ball in hand.

After some slick inter passing between them and scrum half George Hillson Theo Cousins broke through and unselfishly passed to James Lewis five metres out to round off a well worked try. James completed his hat trick shortly after. George Hillson looked to kick more in the second half and this paid dividends when Ben Milligan followed up a box kick and with the help of his forwards turned the ball over for George Hillson to score. Hillson also added two more conversions in the second period.

Tavistock U14s 15

Okehampton U14s 25

EVEN prior to kick off the signs were encouraging as the young Okes had garnered a full side of fifteen players, an event that was rare last term.

Playing up the slope in the first period the visitors started brightly, using their powerful pack to good effect. It was soon clear that this game would take the same pattern as all recent encounters between these sides in that Tavistock would rely on getting the ball wide while the Okes would look to break from around the fringes.

It was slightly against the run of play when Tavistock opened the scoring after some ten minutes, some sloppy defence allowing one of their forwards to trundle over. This sparked the visitors into action and following a strong drive from captain Greg Daniel, a penalty near the line was awarded and fly-half Leon Horn took a quick tap and scooted over.

It was Daniel who scored the next five point, picking-up from the base of a five metre scrum in typical fashion and crashing over the whitewash.

Tavistock, who were being starved of ball by the larger Okehampton pack, had their moments in attack and moved the ball beautifully at times although, on the Okehampton wing was having a great game in defence, putting in numerous important tackles.

The next score came from Gregory Daniel again, as he picked up from the breakdown some 25 metres out and showed surprising pace to score near the corner.

The half time whistle came with the benefit of the slope to come but with slight concerns that the visitors may tire as the game wore on. These fears were well-founded as Okehampton started the second period slowly allowing the flying Tavi winger to cross for a couple of tries that brought the scores level. Indeed, they may well have had more if it hadn't been for some more excllent defensive work by .

It was therefore fitting that he regained the lead for the Okes with a good try as the ball found its way along the backline. The Oke pack had now found its second wind, and props Ethan Hoggins and Adam Creasy were making good yards with ball in hand as well as providing a good supply of possession with impressive scrummaging. It was following one such scrum that the game was effectively won, as Greg Daniel completed his hat-trick as he picked and drove over the line.

There was still time for the pacy home winger to break out of defence for the line, but a superb cover tackle from Leon Horn prevented the score and the full time whistle went shortly afterwards.

A good, committed performance from the boys which sets them up nicely for the visit of Sidmouth next week.

Okehampton U13s 10

Tavistock U13s 20

THIS was the under 13s first match of the season and also their first on a full sized pitch.

Summer fitness sessions paid off and from the outset both teams were prepared to put in a physical battle and showed determination to win the ball.

A solid performance from the two new recruits, Ollie and Tom A saw them contributing towards play which went from one end of the pitch to the other end. George scooped up the ball from in front of the opposition's posts and made a nail biting break for the try line, but to no avail.

Solid defending from Tavistock stopped the home team in their tracks but in the scuffle the ball was knocked forward with the subsequent scrum won by the visitors. Supporters watched as the game moved from try line to try line with only a matter of time before someone broke over. Finally Mo saw his chance, shot through their backs and slipped over the line for the first try of the match.

With dominant rucking and recycling it wasn't long before Tavistock answered passing out through the back for an equalising try at the end of the first half.

The second half saw tight defence from Okehampton who held Tavistock off their try line but their resolve stayed and they scored a very quick try, but as with all conversions of the day the wind took the ball away from the posts.

Undeterred with play yet again near the home team's line Nathan kicked through on a loose ball which tripped over and taking his chance he dived and scored. With the final try to the visitors, Okes move on to prepare for their next match away against Sidmouth.