Western Counties West Kingsbridge 38

Tavistock 10

TAVISTOCK suffered their third defeat in a row but the score did not reflect a far better performance than in recent weeks.

The early pressure came from the home side and a lineout close to the Tavistock line enabled their forwards to drive over for the first try.

It took the visitors some time to gain momentum but good runs by Ben Hadfield and Dan Luffman showed they could still threaten.

The home side's second try was another for the forwards as they drove over following another catch and drive from a lineout.

Tavistock now gained some ball and a quickly taken penalty and chip through saw Ben Hadfield chase into the 22 but was beaten by the bounce. Good handling by Harry Dawe and Lewis Edwards got Tavistock into the home 22 where they were awarded a penalty which Rich Goldsby-West put over for Tavistock's first points.

The half ended with the home side increasing their lead with a try in the corner.

The restart began with Tavistock getting good possession and Mark Friend and Dan Luffman combined to put Lewis Edwards away up the wing but he was tackled in to touch.

Tavistock then reduced the home side's lead with a superb individual try from Lewis Edwards. From another phase of possession the ball was worked to him out on the wing; he sidestepped much of the defence, sped through a gap and outsprinted the cover to touchdown. Rich Goldsby-West converted.

Tavistock now enjoyed a period of possession in home territory but could not find the vital breakthrough as the home defence held firm. The home side hit back and two tries in quick succession as the forwards rumbled over in the corner for the first and the ball was worked across the pitch to touchdown in the corner for the second. With the game lost, Tavistock gave it everything and runs by Ben Hadfield, Mark Friend came to nothing as the home side stood firm. With Tavistock tiring, the home side scored their final try as they worked the ball up the wing to go in at the corner.

There were stand-out performances for Tavistock came from Lloyd James, who moved from front row to flanker and covered every blade of grass, the returning Ben Hadfield and young front row Martin Budden.