Cornwall and Devon
TAVISTOCK RFC 36
LISKEARD/LOOE 33
Having pushed many of the top sides close over the recent weeks, Tavistock knew they were due an important and well deserved victory. Things could not have gone any better for Tavistock when Liskeard’s opening kick failed to go 10 metres. From the resulting scrum a series of well constructed phases saw the ball reach the returning George Hillson’s hands to which he crossed the whitewash with ease. Rhys Davies adding the extras.
It was not long before Tavistock were back on the score sheet in similar fashion; this time 18-year-old Sam Wilton finished off a neat backs’ move on the quarter hour mark; Davies again adding the extras.
Liskeard came back strong and from their first penalty advantage a delicate chip over the defence saw a friendly bounce reach Cornish hands to score their opening try. Tavistock hit back with a Hillson completing his brace but the rest of the half favoured Liskeard who scored again; on the stroke of half time they scored again from close range to go into the interval 21-19 up.
The second half proved to be a nervy affair with both sides exchanging scores. Tavistock missed an early kick at goal but from the resulting 22 drop out an excellent solo effort from Wilton saw him take his tally to two for the game.
Tavistock’s defence remained strong for the next period when they turned over much ball and looked to win the territory battle but eventually possession from the Cornishmen proved the deciding factor when they went back in front with an opportunist try down the blind side to take the score back in favour of the guests 26-24.
The home side remained positive and had their tails up actively looking to bag a victory. Some intelligent kicking from Davies and Hillson saw a charge down from the resulting Liskeard clearance which Jack Easton was able to hack through and score to regain the lead.
It was at this point scores stopped being exchanged and Tavistock were in again after some good work at the breakdown saw captain Andrew Schuttkacker go through a gap to score uncontested.
With two minutes left Liskeard battled hard to get the final score and were rewarded from the final scrum of the game which saw a close range try from their forwards but it could not prevent the home side edging them out 36-33.
It was a great day for Tavistock with the second XV also getting back to winning ways beating Plympton Victoria 31-5 to regain top spot in the Devon Merit League two South West.