Western Counties West Tavistock 43

Kingsbridge 8

THE chance to play on a firm, dry pitch after the mud baths of recent weeks, certainly brought out the best in Tavistock as they produced probably their best performance of the season.

The early exchanges saw some good play from the home backs and only a tap tackle prevented Ben Hadfield going through for the opening score. However, it soon came as the ball was worked across from a forward drive to new signing Kyle Browne, who fended off tacklers to go in at the corner.

The visitors hit back and after a period of possession around the home 22, they were awarded a penalty that they duly kicked to reduce the home lead.

Tavistock's second try came following a great drive from a scrum that resulted in a penalty. It was taken quickly and Doug Lloyd's offload to Ewan Smith caught the defence napping enabling him to dive over under the posts. Smith converted.

The visitors reduced the deficit by driving over from a maul; however, Tavistock hit back and following a lineout and drive, Duncan Law went over.

The second half started as the first had ended with a lineout and drive resulting in a second try for Duncan Law which Smith converted. There was now a crispness in Tavistock's play with the forwards dominating and everyone making contributions and being comfortable with ball in hand. A fumble by the visitors enabled Viliame Masiwera to break and a great offload to Charlie Furnival enabled him to draw the defenders before putting Browne away for his second try.

The home side's pace and movement was causing the visitors problems and even though a yellow card for Browne gave the visitors a numerical advantage they could not find a way through the home defence. On his return he completed his hat-trick as a neat kick through by stand in fly half Lloyd, enabled him to chase through and get the touchdown. Josh Sutton converted.

Tavistock's final try came straight from the restart as Dan Oner's catch and pass to Law saw him put Mark Friend away down the middle and when he was tackled, Dan Oner was there to take the pass and storm up the pitch and go in under the posts. Sutton converted to round off a thoroughly entertaining and comprehensive home win.