Devon Merit League

Tavistock seconds 15

Exmouth thirds 32

ON a cold, windy afternoon, Tavistock and Exmouth served up a well contested game at Sandy Park.

Exmouth brought an experienced squad and boasted a big, heavy pack of forwards who gave the home side a tough afternoon.

Tavistock started the game on the front foot and Exmouth found themselves defending for the first 10 minutes. The only score during this period a penalty for Tavistock kicked by centre Nick Lane.

The visitors then began to get themselves organised and their forwards started to take control in the scrums and loose and the rest of the first half saw Tavistock on the defensive.

Some good tackling kept the visitors out for long periods, but Exmouth did breach the home defence three times in the half and with one conversion added, led 17-3 at half time.

Tavistock competed more evenly in the second half, although the Exmouth forwards still dominated possession.

The visitors scored three further tries but Tavistock replied with two tries of their own through debutant Philip Bhol and from a fine run from Nick Lane. Dave Milligan added a conversion for the home side, to bring the final score to 15-32 in favour of the visitors.

A pleasing aspect of the home side's performance was that they finished the game on the offensive against what was, by then, a tiring Exmouth side.

Both sides had worked hard in the difficult conditions.

Tavistock captain Joe Pook was always in the thick of the action.

Hooker Ash Toll tackled well and took one scrum against the head while second row Jack Jones put in a good performance.