Cornwall and Devon

Tavistock 41

Withycombe 6

AFTER an impressive impact from the bench last week Josh O'Neil, Mark Friend and David Goodspeed earned starting roles for Tavistock against their mid-table opponents.

In the first half Tavistock kicked off against the elements. In the early exchanges Withycombe tried to disrupt Tavistock's fluent attacking style. As Tavistock held their nerve they started to generate quick ball, with the forwards working hard at the breakdown. Ewan Smith's quick thinking switched the play giving Dan Luffman space to outflank Withycombe's larger forwards to score in the corner, 5-0. Withycombe came fighting back. Using their big pack they attacked around the fringes of the rucks and Tavistock were caught offside. Withycombe knocked over the resulting penalty, 5-3. A few minutes later their fly half dropped into the pocket and moved them into the lead with a well taken drop goal, 5-6.

Tavistock were to gain the upper hand soon after; Richard West put wingers Greg Fairchild and Goodspeed into space and they caused the defence all kinds of problems. Excellent support play from Adrian Baker and Dan Oner kept Tavistock moving forward. Another switch in midfield gave Luffman enough room touch down. West added the extras to make it 12-6.

Tavistock now dominating the possession, Lloyd James and O'Neil were able to stretch the defence at will.

Will Glover went close to extending the lead when a set play move opened a gap through the middle but he was unlucky to be held up over the line. Number eight Andrew Griffiths darted off the base of the following scrum, gave a lovely dummy and showed pace to power over the game line. Quick hands from Ross Batton put his centre partner Luffman over for his hat-trick score before half time, 17-6.

Tavistock started the second half with a bang; Friend took a good catch from the kick-off and set off down field. Great support from Goodspeed, allowed the move to continue; great distribution from Smith and West allowed Tavistock ended with Andrew Kaka beaing his man to score under the posts. West converted, 24-6. Now in top gear, Tavistock began to punish Withycombe. From the kick off Baker took a difficult catch and released Jake Chinn for one of his barnstorming runs. West kicked over the top of the visitors' defence for Charlie Furnival to chase. Furnival beat the fullback to the ball and his pace and hand-off were too much for the visitors as he scored in the corner, 29-6.

Soon after James and Kaka combined beautifully for clean lineout ball, the backs ran a set play and Glover gave a simple pass to Goodspeed who scored the try. West converted, 36-6. Tavistock rounded off the match in impressive style; Rob Monk set Furnival free on the right and the replacement winger bagged his second score to make it 41-6.

Man of the match Griffiths celebrated his birthday by putting in an outstanding performance. This was Tavistock's 11th straight win in the league.