Tavistock Colts 34

Stonehouse

Sharks Colts 0

TAVISTOCK ended the first round of the Colts Merit table on a high. With the home team’s forwards supplying quality front foot ball their back line was given the opportunity to cut loose.

A series of drives from the pack left space for fly half Chris Watts to find centre Ethan Lamerton, who burst through two tackles and rounded the fullback before dotting down for Tavistock’s opening score. George Hillson added the tricky conversion.

Tavistock continued to make good progress on the right flank and after Cameron McKie won a clean lineout Chris Watts moved the ball to George Hillson coming off the left wing; Hillson made space for Bernie Sadler, who showed a great turn of pace to sprint in from half way and score in the right hand corner.

Tavistock continued to benefit from a strong set piece and front rowers Richard Cann, Jasper Cameron and Will Judge dominated the scrum. Strong running from forwards Ben Luke, Morgan Scott and Cameron McKie kept Tavistock moving forward.

Ben Milligan ran at every opportunity from full back and one of these breaks helped create space for winger Sean Donnelly, who crashed over from 10 metres out.

Stonehouse’s forwards started to apply some pressure of their own and were unlucky to concede a turnover in the Tavistock 22. Watts kicked the ball to well inside the Stonehouse half and Lamerton, Hillson and Billy Wildgoose chased down the fullback. The ball was fumbled and the quick thinking Wildgoose fly hacked the ball on for Hillson, who picked up a difficult bouncing ball to secure Tavistock’s bonus point score. Hillson converted.

The first 20 minutes of the second half was a pretty scrappy affair and Stonehouse started to gain parity in the loose. Tavistock conceded a number of penalties and after trying the referee’s patience lost a player to the bin.

They were, however, able to regain their composure in the final quarter of the game and a planned move from a shortened lineout saw the fleet footed Harry Jeans burst through only to get stopped just short of line. A neat pop pass to Hillson, however, saw him score his second try.

Tavistock had a lot of success with their kicking game and Jack Easton, Hillson, Milligan and Watts all kicked effectively to help keep their team in the Stonehouse half.

The Moorlanders saved their best for last and a beautiful flick pass from Chris Watts was collected by Ethan Lamerton who sprinted clear along the right wing. Working in a tight space Lamerton off loaded when tackled to Donnelly, who in turn made yards before being stopped only to complete another off load for Milligan and the full back raced clear to score. The final whistle went shortly after.