Western Counties West

Tavistock 23

St Austell 31

WITH fair winds and rain along with bouts of sunlight the conditions set the scene for a competitive game of rugby.

Tavistock started well when Doug Lloyd breezed past three tackles to score for a touchdown. Richard West slotted a penalty kick through the middle of the upright, to the delight of the home supporters.

However, it was not long, despite the tight defence of an impressive Tavistock defence with tackle after tackle, that St Austell managed to slip past a tackle to go through for a try, to make the score 8-5.

Tavistock's Richard West soon replied with a penalty kick.

The Tavistock forwards set the platform with an outstanding performance to launch the next stage of an attack. With an exceptional ball carry, led by Lloyd James, the forwards rucked and rumbled their way to inches outside St Austell's door. Tavistock puppeteer West, pulled the strings of the defence to create a second converted try for Duncan Law.

The Tavistock defence of Joseph Hayes, Ross Battron and Duncan Law repeatedly stole the ball from the St Austell forwards as their waves of attacks amounted to a tide on its way out. Braithwaite and Dave Goodspeed tackled hard and well to prevent a try for St Austell in the corner.

In the dying minutes of the first half the St Austell number 13 managed to jink his way through to score to make it 18-12.

At the start of the second half St Austell scored again with a converted try.

Determined and un-phased, Tavistock came back with a vengence. Doug Lloyd sliced his way through the defence with good link up play from Dave Goodspeed and Simon Braithwaite to help set up the Danny Luffman for another Tavistock try count, to make it 23-19.

In the dying minutes however St Austell raised the charge to score two more tries in quick concession.

Even though Tavistock narrowly missed on winning over top of league side St Austell, the home side can take pride in the blood and sweat they left on the pitch that day.

The habitual physicality with which Tavistock brought to their work, and the prodigious effort was first class and will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.