Devon Merit division two

Tavistock seconds 29

Exmouth thirds 28

PLAYING their first game of the New Year, Tavistock seconds just managed to beat their visitors from Exmouth, by the smallest margin.

The game was of two contrasting halves. In the first period, Tavistock dominated and ran in three tries from winger Richard Coker; scrumhalf Craig Pascoe and debutant centre Blake Smith. Flyhalf Martyn Credicott added three conversions and a penalty.

In reply, Exmouth scored an unconverted try in the first minute of the match and a penalty midway through the half, to leave the half-time score at 24 - 8 in Tavistock's favour. 

The second half, with the visitors now playing down the slope, saw them dominate possession and they scored three tries; one of which was converted; and a penalty, which gave Exmouth the lead by 28-24, with ten minutes remaining.

Tavistock started to get a hold of the game again and following pressure from the home side, the visitors threw a loose pass that was intercepted by Blake Smith, who galloped 40 metres to the line, to score the winning try, with just a couple of minutes left to play. Tavistock secured the restart and safely saw out the final moments, to record a narrow victory.

Tom Dawe, Chris John, skipper Will Tomkins and Dan Hayward were outstanding among the forwards and new player Blake Smith; full back Rob Hockin and Craig Pascoe, were never far from the action among the backs.