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Tomkins Locals 24

Lloyds Legends 24

TAVISTOCK RFC's Boxing Day interclub fixture saw 50 players turn up with kit to blow out the Christmas cobwebs. Team selection took place before the game with the locals picking an athletic pack to counter the Legends experienced and pacey back line.

The first score of the match came after pin point kicking from fly half West left the Legends pinned inside their 22. Good ball retention from the forwards allowed quick ball for scrum half Ewan Smith to dart over from five yards. West added the extra's 7-0 to the locals.

From the restart the game speed of the game jolted the Legends with the experienced legs of veterans Si Boreham and Gareth Mason keeping them in the game.

The Legends backs showed superb hands to stretch the defence leaving a gap for prop Tim Child to trundle through. This was converted by Dan Luffman to even the score.

The next score again came from the graft of the Locals forwards. Captain Will Tomkins, impressing with his fitness and pac,e provided the opening. After darting past three tacklers and throwing an excellent pass to guest prop James Wallace who finished in the corner to make it 12-7.

Before the close of the half it was the Legends who took the lead after great work from Alex Hudson allowed Dan Luffman to round the defence for a score which he converted for 12-14.

With numerous changes at half time it was great to see the return of 60 year old backs Pete Rogers and Ambrose Maguire who both put in impressive cameo performances. 

The next score was an impressive solo effort from second row Mark Friend - a side step and turn of pace allowed him to romp home from his own half. West added the extras and it was 19-14 to the Locals.

The next scorer for the Legends came from James Kaminski, who saw the line and took his opportunity to dive over. A further try for Luffman left the Legends in front 19-24.

In the closing moments it was Local Duncan Law who crashed over after a quick penalty. West missed the conversion to make the final score 24-24.

After the game club spokesman Doug Lloyd thanked all the players who made the game so memorable. The speed of the game and open running rugby on display delighted the large crowd that had turned up for the event.