Torquay RFC Colts 5

Tavistock RFC Colts 27

TAVISTOCK earned their first win of the season with a powerful display over a well organised and spikey Torquay side.

The away side looked to impose themselves in the first half playing up the slope and against the wind. Some big hits from forwards Jasper Cameron, Theo Cousins and Ben Luke early in the game put the home side on the front foot and helped to secure ball for the backline that looked to get the ball wide at every opportunity.

Winger Sean Donnelly had a couple of line breaking runs and Ben Milligan was a handful all match running deep from fullback. Tavistock’s first try came after a break from centre Chris Poyntz from the half way line; he made space for his outside centre Ethan Lamerton, who was stopped five metres from the line - quick ruck ball saw Theo Cousins feed Ben Milligan, who put winger Billy McNicol clear in the left hand corner. This was shortly followed by a second try in the same corner for Ben Milligan after some more slick handling from the back line gave him the space to use his pace to score.

Tavistock started the second half with a bang. The forwards turned the ball over from the kick off and after a strong ruck clear out from Will Trembath. Theo Cousins broke clear down the blindside and put Ethan Lamerton in to score under the posts. Milligan added the conversion. Some excellent line speed and tough tackling from Jack Easton and Billy Wildgoose really now started to put Torquay under pressure.

Fly half Chris Watts and Chris Poyntz looked to release their outside backs, as Tavistock were having a lot of success in the wider channels. Chris Poyntz made a couple of lovely off loads during the game and with a deft chip kick created Tavistock’s fourth try. Sean Donnelly latched on to the kick and showed his power by running straight over the top of the Torquay full back to score in the right hand corner. Second row Harry Jeans showed some nifty footwork to side step and break clear sprinting 20 metres up the pitch. Jasper Cameron worked tirelessly at the breakdown securing several turnovers. Tavistock perhaps started to tire in the final quarter and they let a combative Torquay side in for a score after some good driving play from their forwards. This seemed, however, to give Tavistock a second wind and forwards Will Judge, Ben Luke and Harry Jeans and scrum half Jack Easton drove their team on.

The introduction of Will Gardner from the bench also helped with him making some hefty tackles. The final score though went to debutant Billy Wildgoose. A fine individual effort saw the Tavistock flanker latch on to a loose ball and use his pace to break clear and score.