Cornwall and Devon

Tavistock 29

Tamar Saracens 5

TAVISTOCK entertained Tamar Saracens at Sandy Park and in doing so achieved a welcome victory, running out comprehensive 29-5 winners.

With the pitch in immaculate condition thanks to the hard work of the ground staff, only a slight breeze down the pitch prevented perfect playing conditions. The home side started nervously with their line out initially misfiring but after a moment of calm Sam Smerdon found himself on the end of a well worked backs’ move to finish in the corner. Unlike last week, the early try was only a cue of what was to come as shortly after the ever present Mark Friend bungled over in his familiar fashion to make it 10-0 at half time.

Tavistock started the second half knowing they hand the upper hand on the discipline front. They simply had to maintain their discipline at the breakdown and the points would come; something Tamar struggled with in the first half.

The half started with an instant try for Tavistock, Danny Oner, fresh from the bench collected a kick from Alec Hampden-Smith and fed Andrew Craddock for a 50 metre gallop to the line. Callum Thompdon, Craddock’s half back partner, added the extras.

Tavistock had ironed out their set piece creases and were winning not only their own ball but much of Tamar’s. Andrew Schuttkacker the talisman at the line out, recording four steals to his name. From one of these steals Friend somehow squeezed through the most minutest gap down the blind side to record his brace.

As the hour mark approached Tavistock scored their final try when Doug Lloyd broke free in midfield and offloaded well to man of the match Schuttkacker to score uncontested between the sticks. Thompson once again adding the extras. Tamar did get the final say as a lengthy period of defence was finally broken outwide. This was a comprehensive victory for the young Tavistock team, with no game this weekend.

This month many members of the team are partaking in ‘Movember’ to raise money and awareness for men’s health. If anybody would like to offer a donation please visit http://mobro.co/hammykerswill