Western Counties West Paignton Saxons 16

Tavistock 20

TAVISTOCK started the season with a hard fought victory against their newly relegated hosts.

Fielding the youngest first team for many years, they did not get off to the best start as an early penalty enabled the hosts to open the scoring.

An early injury to Josh O'Neil enabled last year's Colt front row, Martin Budden to enter the fray. All the early play was in the Tavistock half but great defensive work kept the home side at bay until a drop goal increased their lead. A breakout by the visitors in to the home half was repelled but the clearing kick led to a Tavistock try. Dan Oner made the initial break and his pass enabled skipper Dougie Lloyd to break up the wing and his perfectly timed pass saw Danny Luffman outpace the defence to touchdown. Rich Goldsby-West converted to put Tavistock in to the lead.

The home side regained the lead with another penalty but back came Tavistock and a drive for the line was held up and eventually the Paignton cleared.

The second half started well as a long kick by Goldsby-West caused confusion in the home defence; a penalty for offside, regained the lead for Tavistock.

A long range penalty followed but this thumped against the post and the home side cleared. A five metre scrum set up a drive but Tavistock were again held up and the ball was cleared.

Tavistock increased their lead with another Goldsby-West penalty following an offside. By now Tavistock were the more threatening side and another great run by Luffman enabled him to outpace the defence and go round under the posts. Goldsby-West converted.

A period of pressure enabled the home side to reduce the arrears with a converted try.

An injury to Tom Rickard saw him replaced at scrum half by Josh Sutton and one of his first offloads set Luffman off on a run but he was tackled out in the 22. With all the players tackling and defending so well, the home side had no answer and Tavistock ran out worthy winners.