Ellis Cup

Devonport High School Old Boys seconds 10

Tavistock Moorlanders 24

THE Moorlanders started this cup tie playing against a near gale force wind. However, good early possession led to a backs' move and wing Martin Shoulders raced past the cover defence to score the first try after only two minutes.

The Moorlanders continued to enjoy plenty of possession and threatened to add to their score on several occasions. The heavier home side's pack were proving a handful and midway through the half, a line out catch and drive near the Moorlanders line produced the equalising try.

The Old Boys shaded the rest of the half but could not break through the Moorlanders defence and half-time arrived with the score at 5-5.

With the advantage of the wind, the Moorlanders were confident that they could take charge of the game in the second half, but the Old Boys pack made a strong start  and after the visitors were penalised deep in their own 22, the Old Boys drove their way over the line for a second try, to take the lead.

This was shortlived however, as a couple of minutes later, after some scrappy play midfield, the Moorlanders flyhalf, Simon Braithwaite scooped up a loose ball and made a fine run through the Old Boys' defence, for an excellent individual try. Martin Credicott added the conversion.

The next phase of the game saw the Old Boys' forwards dominate the scrums but the Moorlanders always looked more dangerous with the ball in hand and from another good handling move from the backs, Martin Shoulders outpaced the defence for his second try. Credicott again converted.

The final stages were very stop start, with the home team tiring, but  a few minutes from the end, Braithwaite found another gap in the home defence and fed flanker Paul Dunstan, up in support, with the pass for the fourth try. There was time left for Shoulders to have two further scoring efforts disallowed and at the final whistle, the Moorlanders finished with a comfortable victory 24-10.

For the Moorlanders, against a far heavier pack, the front row of Dave Welsh; Nathan Peck and Martin Credicott all put in a good shift. Lock Steve Long made a number of good drives and flanker Ryan Bragg was prominent. Scrumhalf Liam Mills worked hard and centre Brennan Drewitt and wing Chad Brading defended well.