Devon Merit

Tavistock Moorlanders 49

Brixham thirds 10

TAVISTOCK second team, renamed the Moorlanders, started their new season of Devon Merit league fixtures at home to Brixham thirds.

Both sides took some time to settle down and play throughout the first half was pretty scrappy, with numerous unforced errors. The Moorlanders scored the first try when wing Richard Coker finished off a good handling move. Brixham replied soon after with an unconverted try.

A fine individual try from centre Andrew Smerdon and a pushover try credited to Dom Dewson gave the home side a 15 -5 lead, which was trimmed when Brixham scored a second try just before the break, leaving the half-time score at 15-10 to the Moorlanders.

The second half was a much improved display from the home side and with the forwards dominating, the Moorlanders ran in six further tries without reply.

Aiden Mason notched the first, before going off injured. Scrum half Niall Murphy bagged two, including an excellent individual effort. Coker completed a hat-trick and Smerdon and Dewson both collected a second try each. Smerdon added two conversions.

Brixham spent much of the half defending and never really threatened to add to their score, leaving the final result as a 49-10 win for the Moorlanders.

The Moorlanders forwards gave their opposite numbers a torrid time in the scrums and loose play, with skipper Andrew Griffiths and front row Billy Boulton; Ross Bailey and Jason Ward all prominent. Halfbacks Murphy and Rob Milligan combined well and kept the threequarters moving. In addition to the try scorers, wing Martin Shoulders and centre James Head, made several strong runs and replacement centre Paddy Warlow caused all sorts of problems for the visitors with his strong running.

This was a good start to the season for the home side.