TAVISTOCK travelled to Weston Mill to play an up and coming Old Technicians side in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer. Having achieved promotion into Devon one last season, Tavistock were expecting a tough test; particularly up front.

Playing the game as four quarters the Moorlanders had plenty of opportunity to ring the changes and try a number of combinations in preparation for the start of the league season.

It was the first quarter that proved decisive however when the away side ran in four unanswered tries in electric fashion. First up was the returning Mark Friend, who after good build up play scored a fine solo effort shrugging off a number of would be defenders. Ben Hadfield converting his first of five conversions. The next 12 minutes proved to be a memorable one for captain Andrew Schuttkacker who scored a hat-trick of tries having linked well with his back row partners Phil Wilson and Josh Langton. Schuttkacker’s third try came from a turnover at the scrum where he picked from the base and went over for a solo try much to the similarity of Friend’s.

The second quarter saw Old Techs hit back and the Moorlanders found themselves defending and defending well for the majority of the quarter. The patience paid off when a turnover deep in Tavistock’s half saw Martin Budden break free and releasing Hadfield to go under the posts. With many changes being made the third quarter proved a tough period which ended 0-0.

In the final 20 minutes Old Techs did get themselves on the score sheet from close range but were later outscored when Jack Glover scored a good opportunist try from a quick tap and convert winger Ash Toll scored an excellent team try in the final play of the game.