Tavistock Colts 34

Devonport Services’ Colts 0

TAVISTOCK finally achieved the win they had been looking for after a bruising encounter with a competitive Services’ side.

Despite the poor weather conditions Tavistock looked to try and use their outside backs and full back Ben Milligan was prominent running from deep. Playing with the wind on their backs and the slope in the first half Millgan and fly half Chris Watts kicked cleverly to keep their forwards on the front foot.

Tavistock’s inside centre Dom Hall was a threat all game with the ball in hand. He opened the home side’s account after number eight Billy Rowe broke strongly from the base of the scrum and neatly off-loaded the ball to him.

Hall was soon on the score sheet again. A powerful ruck clear out from Theo Cousins close to the Services’ line enabled his second row partner Will Gardner to get his foot to the ball. As the ball crossed Devonport’s try line, Hall reacted quickest, diving onto it to secure another five points. Ben Milligan added the conversion.

Devonport then had a period of possession and their forwards drove strongly demonstrating good ball retention. Tavistock’s line speed, however, caused Services problems with Ethan Lamerton, Morgan Warnett, Alex Lewandowski and Chris Watts all getting in the face of the opposition.

Tavistock scrum half Jono Wisdom dribbled a loose dropped ball from within his own half, only for the ball to eventually roll over the dead ball line before he could touch it down.

Some neat handling from the backs opened up some space on the right wing for Ben Milligan and he chipped the ball through for winger Sean Donnelly to score Tavistock’s third and put them 17 points up at half time.

Early in the second half some good interplay between forwards and backs created space for Donnelly to break clear. The forwards then worked through a couple of phases before Theo Cousins busted through to secure the bonus point score.

The game then proceeded to break up and get a bit fractious and Tavistock had a player yellow carded. This resulted in a change of tactics for the home side and they looked to use their forwards to play a driving game. Will Gardner, Richard Cann and Harry Jeans all carried strongly helping to eat up the time until they were back up to a full complement.

Jono Wisdom directed operations from the base of the ruck and after a series of aggressive drives from forwards Billy Rowe, Theo Cousins and Ben Luke space was made for Ben Milligan to force his way over. Wisdom added the two points.

Tavistock were now looking determined and started to play some of their best rugby of the season. Jack Base came in off his wing to continue the driving play up the left flank, and front rowers Cann, Jeans and Will Trembath all worked tirelessly to maintain possession.

A number of phases brought Tavistock back up to the Devonport line before big Ben Luke had the final say powering over for a well deserved score.