Brixham Colts 0

Tavistock Colts 25

TAVISTOCK Colts put in a fine all round performance against a competitive Brixham side who had a well drilled and physical pack.

The first ten minutes were fairly even and Brixham used their forwards to make ground into the Tavistock half. Tavistock, however, defended stoutly and soon started to find their rhythm. Half backs Jack Easton and Chris Watts started to take control, varying the play between forwards and backs. After some good driving play from number eight Morgan Scott, Chris Watts moved the ball to the right wing where Sean Donnelly made a 10 to 15 metre break; the forwards recycled the ball for Easton and Watts to move the ball across to the left wing; full back Ben Milligan received the ball from centre Bernie Sadler, who drew in his opposite number to make space for winger Billy Wildgoose to speed into the corner.

Tavistock’s second try came soon after as Ethan Lamerton broke clear inside the Brixham 22 to pop the ball back inside to flanker Theo Cousins to score. The visitors were able to subdue Brixham at the breakdown and hooker Jasper Cameron gave a masterclass in turnovers.

Brixham struggled to compete with Tavistock’s powerful backrow of Will Gardner, Theo Cousins and Morgan Scott. The versatile Harry Jeans’ mobility with ball in hand and his strength at the breakdown were integral to the team’s performance. Tavistock’s third score came from a backs move that saw space open up for centre Ethan Lamerton, who showed a good turn of pace to race in from half way.

Tavistock started the second half brightly and forwards Will Judge, Will Trembath, Richard Cann and Joe Burbage all scrummaged strongly. Jasper Cameron kept the lineout functioning well and his throwing enabled Theo Cousins and Will Gardner to claim a lot of clean ball.

The visitors lost a player to a yellow card and Brixham started to increase the pressure with a period of play were they were camped in the Tavistock 22. Tavistock defended bravely and their powerful tackling caused the home team to knock on and allowed Tavistock to clear their lines. This seemed to knock the wind out of their opponents’ sails and with Ben Milligan fielding all of their kicks and running them back with interest Brixham started to flag.

Some more good handling from Chris Watts and Bernie Sadler created space for Billy Wildgoose to score his second. Tavistock then kept the pressure on in the last ten minutes won the ball off their opponent’s and a series of forward drives saw Morgan Scott come close before the powerful Richard Cann drove over from five metres out in the dying minutes of the game.