Western Counties West Tavistock 27

Wellington 10

TAVISTOCK secured their second successive bonus point win to keep their Western Counties survival hopes alive.

Tavistock played with the wind behind them in the first half and for the first 15 minutes were put under pressure by the strong visiting pack.

Although under pressure, strong tackling from Schuttkacker, Friend and Budden enabled Phillips to steal the ball and West cleared the lines. Tavistock moved into the opposition's half and surged into the Wellington 22. Scrum half Penberthy was supplying quick ball to the Tavistock backs which allowed Lloyd to feed Luffman, who in turn passed to Hadfield; he made good ground and as the ball was secured the home side strayed offside. Quick thinking from West to put in a cross field kick was followed up by the fleet footed Wheeldon to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed 5-0.

Tavistock now had their tails up and continued to pile the pressure on Wellington. Strong forward running from Fraser, Hair and Budden set up another attacking move. Another penalty was conceded by the visitors and Tavistock kicked to the corner. The lineout was taken well and the resultant driving maul steamed up the pitch with the powerful Dom Connor crossing for his first senior try to make it wide 10-0 to the home side.

The possession then turned back to Wellington. A set piece move from them saw their fly half jink through the strong home defence and offload for their back row forward to cross under the posts. A missed conversion left the game at 10-5.

As the first half came to a close Tavistock looked the stronger team. Using good team play to work their way up the pitch. quick recyling of the ball allowed them to work the blindside and unleash back row Friend who outran the opposition's winger and full back to score in the corner. The kick sailed wide in the wind to leave Tavistock 15-5 ahead at the break.

As Tavistock changed ends, playing into the wind, they knew they would have to keep up the tempo to close out the game. Despite the wind, the home side continued to control the game. As Wellington tried to run the ball out of their own half, Lloyd stole the ball and quick hands from the backs moved the ball to Fuller who cruised over the line from just outside the opposition's 22. The conversion was good from West putting Tavistock in control at 22-5 and securing the four try bonus point.

A period of possession for Wellington followed this but Tavistock's defence was too strong. Big hits from substitute second row Griffiths and fly half West pushed the away side back up the pitch. Full back Luffman in his own 22 advanced up the pitch to beat the Wellington full back and steamed over the line to grab Tavistock's fifth try to make it 27-5.

Brading and Thompson were brought on for Tavistock; Brading made an impact with some steaming runs and Thompson made some big hits. As the game came to a close Wellington, to their credit, continued to attack; they used their strong forwards to set up an opportunity for their winger to jink through and cross the line. A missed conversion left the game at 27-10.

Tavistock withheld some further pressure but trusted in their strong defence to close out the game and secure a huge bonus point win. With heavy defeats for St Ives and Torquay, Tavistock will need two more wins from their final four games to steer clear of the relegation spots.