FriendlyTAVISTOCK RFC LOCALS 38TAVISTOCK RFC LEGENDS 34On Boxing Day a large crowd of around 200 spectators and 50 players enjoyed the highly entertaining annual fixture between current Tavistock RFC players and those Moorlanders who have returned to West Devon over the festive period.

With the weather proving kind the game was played on the first XV pitch and was well refereed in the spirit of the game by Tavistock’s own Brian Barclay.

The game started in emphatic style for the legends as the locals kicked far too much possession away and were seen camped in their own half for the opening period. A charge down of a box kick from Charlie Charlton saw Hallam Bourton cross for the opening score.

A further score almost immediately from captain Parisio — visiting Devon from Australia — and a conversion from Ewan Smith made the score 12-0. This proved a wake up call for the current crop of players when some excellent work from back row turned wing Sam Eaton saw him cut through the opposition midfield beating four defenders on his way to the whitewash. Jack Easton clipped the woodwork before slotting the extras. Jack Glover was up next to level the scores with a fine solo effort down the left wing.

Some ill discipline from half centurion Pete Davis saw a sequence of penalties against the Legends to allow the Locals to gain the next score and bring up half time in the lead.

An influx of changes at half time saw a number of father and son combinations, notably club groundsman Kirk Lewandowski who replaced Andrew Shuttkacker at number eight to play alongside his sons Luke and Alex at nine and 10. The legends were now boasting a number of veteran first XV players including Adrian Baker, Andrew Griffiths and Paul Greenhill also saw the introduction of brothers Josh Sutton and Ben Sutton.

This experience told as they ran in three second half tries in quick succession — firstly Hallam Bourton who confirmed his brace from close range, Euan McCall with a well finished try in the corner and Mark Friend who broke through the midfield to score uncontested.

The Locals brought on their finishers to great effect with a faultless 15 minute hat-trick from first XV captain Andrew Schuttkacker regained the lead from the Legends.

With three minutes on the clock the legends did come within four points of victory with perhaps the try of the game from Australian Hamish Dawson, who saw space in behind the locals defence to chip, chase and control the ball over the line for a fine solo score.

With time for the kick off the legends got within touching distance of the locals’ line after good breaks from Joe Elliot and Ash Martin, but a fine turn over at the breakdown from Schuttkacker and Tom Friend saw the ball cleared into touch and Barclay blowing the final whistle much to the joy of the locals’ team.