TAVISTOCK RFC 39

SOUTH MOLTON 19

TAVISTOCK played up the slope in the first half; nevertheless, they started the stronger of the two teams.

With their scrum going forward Tavistock were unlucky not to go into the lead when number eight Jamie Legg broke clear from the base only to lose his grip on the ball after crossing the line. Fortunately, they kept the pressure on and following some good build up play, second row Leion Cole powered over from ten metres out and Jack Easton added the conversion.

Tavistock looked to move their opponent’s pack around the pitch and with some good service from half backs Tom Pearson and Pjay Luatua, centres Ethan Lamerton and Jack Easton combined well to move the ball into the wider channels. Full back Jack Glover looked to have broken clear only to be pulled back for a forward pass and wingers Connor Packwood and Louis Cockcroft both made yards. However, it was Cole who popped up on the right wing to finish off a sweeping back’s move forcing his way over in the corner. Shortly afterwards, the first half was brought to a premature end due to an injury to a South Molton player.

Playing downhill in the second half, Tavistock looked to push on for a try bonus point score and from the kick off they quickly secured possession deep in the South Molton half. A clever kick, over an on rushing defence from Tom Pearson, saw Jack Glover collect the ball and score under the posts, with Jack Easton adding the extra two points.

Tavistock failed to clear their lines from the following kick off and this was converted by South Molton, earning them a well-deserved score.

The Moorlanders were soon back on the front foot when Ethan Lamerton broke clear with only the full back to beat. They tackled him with no arms resulting in a penalty which Easton duly slotted. Tavistock pressed again and line breaks from Jamie Legg and Jack Lewis helped move them forward before Lamerton cut a good line near the base of the ruck to secure the bonus point try with Easton converting. With Sam Northmore, Martin Budden and Duncan Law challenging at the breakdown at every opportunity for the Moorlanders they found themselves on the wrong side of the referee and Law ended up being yellow carded. This triggered a mini revival for South Molton and earned themselves two further tries, the second being a penalty try. Fortunately, the home side were able late on in the game to bring on the experienced trio of Phil Wilson, Hammy Kerswill and Andrew Schuttakacker. The Tavistock scrum had been on top throughout the game with front rowers George Faaumu, Joe Hair and Jack Lewis dominating their opponents but when Hair was forced off after a cut to his mouth hooker Kerswill showed his worth by keeping the Tavistock scrum strong despite playing in the unfamiliar role of loose head. Schuttakacker made a couple of breaks and after some quick recycling from one of these Leion Cole was again found on the wing and was able to secure his hat-trick.

Tavistock dominated the final ten minutes as South Molton tired and their scrum was justly rewarded when Martin Budden scored a push over try during the last play of the game.