Western Counties West

Tavistock 45

Bideford 22

A SUPERB all round team performance saw Tavistock outplay second in the table Bideford.

The visitors started the game and after a series of rucks and drives went over for an early try. A yellow card for Josh Sutton reduced Tavistock's numbers and Bideford increased their lead with a penalty.

Tavistock hit back and after good play from Charlie Furnival and Kyle Browne, the home side won a penalty that Rich Goldsby-West converted. This was closely followed by two more penalties that he duly kicked to reduce the visitors lead to one point.

A try for the visitors seemed certain as they broke down the wing but a superb tap tackle by Furnival stopped them but unfortunately he injured his hand and could not take any further part.

Tavistock's failure to clear their 22 yard line enabled the visitors to go over in the corner for a try.

The home side hit back and following a drive into the Bideford 22 they won a penalty which Goldsby-West, who had a superb day with the boot, put over enabling them to go in at half-time just three points in arrears. Whatever coach Mike Lewis said to the players at half time certainly had the right effect as Tavistock ran in two tries in quick succession. The first came as Browne put Ben Hadfield away down the wing and his timely offload to Simon Braithwaite enabled him to run in the try.

The second came following a break by Dan Oner down the wing to the visitors 22. From the penalty and resulting lineout, a maul formed and the forwards, who were superb throughout the game, drove through the Bideford defence with Duncan Law getting the touchdown.

Tavistock's numbers were reduced with a yellow card for Ade Baker and the visitors then depleted Tavistock's lead driving over from a couple of metres.

Kyle Browne was the scorer of Tavistock's third try as he received a superb flick pass on halfway from Goldsby-West to charge through the visitors' defence for a great touchdown.

The next Tavistock try soon followed as a steal from a ruck five metres out enabled Duncan Law to go over for his second.

Tavistocks final try came from Mark Friend as he took a pass down by his ankles on halfway, accelerated own the wing, shrugging off tacklers to go over for a great individual score. Goldsby-West, along with three other conversions, put over to complete the scoring to round off a thoroughly entertaining match.

Tavistock's next game is away to Bude on April 6.