Honition U16s 7 (0pts)

Tavistock U16s 59 (5pts)

THE first round of the Fishersman’s Shield League saw Tavistock travel to the far east of Devon to Honiton. This was a comfortable win for Tavistock with the result being decided by half time, once Tavistock were more than 50 points in front.

John Lord picked up his first try of the year to set the team off and a great run from Jude White at full back saw the second try.

Honiton scored their only try next and Tavistock started to look concerned but skipper Olly Noy Scott motivated the team to respond with a try from Joe Burbage and then Tom MacKenzie.

Scrum half Tom Pearson’s quick thinking got Tavistock their fifth try as he darted over from a ruck four yards from the try line.

The tries kept coming with Freddie Williams, Jason Blake, Joe (second try) and Archie Allen all scoring. Zac Gorton converted seven of the nine tries to keep the score board ticking over and there was some really strong tackles and runs from both James Paxman and Laurence Stewart.

This is the first of seven games in the shield league where the top two teams at the end of the season will fight it out in the final to be played at Brixham. Tavistock took the four points for the win and a bonus point for scoring four tries. The team now move on to their next game against Teignmouth.

 

Teignmouth U16s 12 (0pts)

Tavistock U16s 50 (5pts)

TEIGNMOUTH arrived at Sandy Park, for the next round of the Fisherman’s Shield League, in slight disarray having forgotten their match shirts and also two of their players.

Rather than play 13 a side Tavistock lent two players to their Teignmouth in order to ensure maximum number of players are involved on the day. This did not help Teignmouth too much as Joe Burbage scored the first try for Tavistock, after a strong forward move pushed Tavistock to the Teignmouth try line for him to go over. It was then some great work by Jason Blake who fed Jude White with a nicely timed pass for Jude to score the second try. Connor Baker scored after a number of passes down the line and Joe went over for his second try.

Teignmouth tried to fight back but two storming runs from Toby Teague saw Tavistock in complete charge. However, Tavistock started to take the pressure off and Teignmouth scored a try just before half time.

Teignmouth came out stronger in the second half and scored again but this galvanised Tavistock and a move from Jack Smyly to Zac Gorton saw him score in the corner. Jude White finished the game with his second try.

First half performances were excellent from Jake Houlberg and Laurence Stewart and in the second half Robin Bickley and Jason Blake were superb.

Tavistock took full points in the second game of the league and now look forward to Plymstock in December.

Okehampton U13s 0

Torquay U13s 80

WITHIN a few seconds of Torquay kicking off, Tom snatched possession for Okehampton. Unfortunately for the home side, they did not keep it for long when Torquay swiftly stole it in a ruck and pushed their way up the pitch to score first.

Entranced by a sense of impending doom Okes seemed completely robbed of any spirit (and the ball) for the next 45 minutes, other than a few highlights of play, including some determined tackles from Ethan, Jacob, Marcus, René, Morgan and Tom.

Cameron, Harry, Jacob and Morgan worked hard to keep up the pressure and Ethan made a great clearance kick. Will and Sam doubled-up on a great tackle leading into a beautiful rip from Sam.

The end of the first half arrived with Torquay nine tries up. Ethan, though for Okehampton, continued to shine in the start of the second half, as he made a great tackle only two metres from the line and smartly hoofed the ball into touch past the centre line.

In the last ten minutes of the game, Okehampton suddenly lit up and Torquay found themselves taking much longer to make progress and ground the ball.

Oke’s player of the match René executed an awesome catch, at full pelt up the pitch, as the ball cleared off a Torquay boot and an equally brilliant tackle by Oscar pushed their player out as he closed in at Oke’s line.

Oke seemed to unload the ball and affect some good runs (Alfie, Luca, Tom). An aggressive, driving attack from Isaac shoved the ball further into Torquay’s half and when they did lose the ball again, it was only in their hands a few seconds before an incensed Marcus ripped it back.

Torquay’s rucks were smooth and swift and Alex made an impressive effort to snatch the ball from several, while Will headed into a maul and emerged with the ball with a triumphant rip.

Luca made several unflinching tackles and a text-book sequence of tackle, run, set ruck saw Cameron kept up the pressure with a fabulous push-out. Despite a gloomy final score, Oke played brilliantly in the closing few minutes.