TAVISTOCK RFC 1st XV moved on from their whitewashing by Plymstock Oaks by beating Exmouth Quins 18-16 on the Sandy Park ground.

The Moorlanders needed a win after going two games without one to avoid getting marooned at the wrong end of the table with Crediton and Withycombe.

Tries from Andy Shuttkacker and Logan Sulsh, plus a conversion and two penalties from Freddie Fuller, clinched it.

Exmouth were 16-15 up going into the latter stages. They gave away a penalty in Fuller’s range and he jabbed it over to take the win.

Leigh Puttock the Tavistock coach, said: “The second half was tight, with neither side really managing to take control, but I felt we just wanted it that little bit more.

“Exmouth kept chipping away at us and eventually took the lead, before Freddie put us back in front and gave us something to defend.

Puttock said a combination of forward power and dogged defence paved the way for victory.

“Our pack was incredible, he said. “We had Exmouth going back at a rate of knots.

“Exmouth were strong in the backs but, credit to our lads, a week of being ‘beasted’ on defence brought some grit that kept them out.

“I think Exmouth came expecting to dominate every aspect of the game and seemed a little shocked by what we brought to the contest.”

Puttock will be looking for more of the same when promotion-chasing South Molton pay his side a visit this Saturday.

Elsewhere, Torrington were unfortunately unable to raise a full 15 to take on North Tawton and so the teams instead played a friendly 13-a-side fixture.

The Tawts were awarded the full five league points and enjoyed a good run out, giving those in attendance a lively match to watch.

North Tawton prevailed 73-33 but the result was immaterial given the circumstances. It seemed like in the end, every player on the field scored a try, Maybe a bit of light relief from the pressure that the league brings.

Also in this division, Okehampton 2nd XV hosted Exeter Engineers and this match, a competitive one, was almost as high-scoring!

Okehampton made it six wins from six by prevailing 54-40 against the Engineers.

Their 28-point tally at the time of writing is bettered only by New Cross, who have one extra try bonus point. North Tawton meanwhile are sixth.

The Okes visit seventh-placed Ilfracombe this weekend.

On the topic of Okehampton RFC and in the same league as their 1st XV, Ivybridge moved-up to second place after handing out a 63-12 hiding to lowly Winscombe.

The five points gained by Ivybridge took them past Tiverton, whose defeat by leaders Penzance cost them second spot.

Winger Angus Skinner, flanker Jack Skinner and centre Adam Lilley all scored two tries for the Bridge in a one-sided affair.

Winscombe were 53-0 down before they got on the board at all, which underlined Ivybridge’s dominance.

Angus Harris claimed the first try of the match and by the break, Lilley scored two in a row, Hamish Harris got one, Tom Hancocks got one and Lilley grabbed his first. Only one Harry Newman-Wild conversion went over.

Five tries followed in the second half from Ed Foster, Angus Harris, Owen Garner, Newman-Wild and finally Skinner. Matt Grieveson took over the kicking and finished with three from six.