Devon Colts merit

Newton Abbot Colts 7

Tavistock Colts 12

IT was wet and muddy conditions which meant the first half was a grim affair with both teams getting close to each other’s try lines only to make mistakes and give penalties away.

An early opportunity for three points from a penalty came to Tavistock but Ed Nettleship’s attempt just missed the left post. Each team was tackling hard and the muddy conditions was sapping the strength from the players.

Fresh legs towards the end of the first half gave Tavistock an edge and when the try came, it was a ‘keep it simple’ move. A strong shove in the scrum, 10 yards out, from Joe Burbage, Jasper Cameron and Olly Munn Tyrell gave Tavistock quick ball, passed on by scrum half Tom Pearson to number ten Ed Nettleship and his delayed pass gave Jude White the gap he needed to score. Tavistock went into half time 0-7 up. The second half saw more space as the teams tired and 20 minutes into the half some great creative skill from Jude gave Tavistock, what turned out to be, a crucial try. He intercepted a pass 10 yards out from his own try line, to run onto the halfway line, then a chip ball through allowed him to beat the Newton Abbot winger, and tap the ball through to dive on it to score the second Tavistock try.

Newton Abbot spent the last 10 minutes laying siege to Tavistock’s try line and despite some superb defence work and impressive tackling from Tavistock, the home side scored with the last move of the game. This brought the final score to 7-12.

White’s tries were made possible from some real solid hard work from the whole team with Olly Noy Scott, Jack Morris, Jason Blake, Zac Gorton, Jack Smyly and Connor Baker to pick just a few out, who all put in a hard graft for the team. Tavistock have moved to the top of the table with this win but their rivals, Exeter Youth and Exmouth both have games in hand.