Cornwall and Devon

Pirates Amateurs first XV 26

Tavistock RFC first XV 7

TAVISTOCK embarked on their longest away trip of the season as they travelled down to St Ives to face a side they had already beaten this season and who sat on equal points with the Moorlanders.

The first half was a cagey encounter; both teams sharing equal possession but it was the hosts who rushed into a six point lead after some ill discipline at the breakdown.

Tavistock had a number of opportunities and did show better structure than the week previous but struggled to deliver the killing blow for much of the game. Debutant David Milligan missed a shot at goal and the returning Matt Witcher was sin binned shortly before the half.

Despite this Tavistock put together a number of phases in the final play of the half that saw Doug Lloyd on the end of a series of good offloads to score under the posts. Milligan this time adding the extras.

The second half started with intensity, much in favour of the away side but, once again, unforced errors saw the home side keep them out.

Salt was added to Tavistock’s wounds as a charged down kick 22 metres out saw the Pirates lock receive a friendly bounce to score uncontested. From this point forward Tavistock could not find a way back into the game, despite their line-out functioning well and a number of strong individual performances, Joe Hair in particular. It was not to be as a further two tries were added late on in the game.