Devon Merit

Torquay thirds 17

Tavistock seconds 46

THERE was some fine running rugby from Tavistock seconds which earned them a fine away win.

On a firm pitch, Tavistock carried too much pace for the home side, although Torquay's big forwards were a handful all afternoon.

The game set off at a furious pace and there were five tries scored in the opening 25 minutes.

A swift break by centre Greg Fairchild provided the pass for wing Tom Thursby to open Tavistock's account.

Fellow centre Nick Lane made the next break to enable flanker Patrick Hobbs to notch the second try.

The home forwards then rumbled over the line for their first score but this was closely followed by a second try from Thursby.

Again the Torquay forwards responded with a second try from a driving maul. Both defences then held firm until just before half-time, when scrum-half, Tom Rickard dashed through a gap on the blindside, to register the visitors' fourth try. Nick Lane added two conversions, to give the visitors an interval lead of 24-12.

The second half saw Tavistock run in four more tries, through wing Ben Hadfield; flanker Jake Chinn; prop Simon Parisio and replacement Richard Eldman.

Lane added one more conversion and Torquay scored a consolation try towards the end.

The Tavistock forwards battled hard all game to contain their far heavier opponents, with front row men Dan Clark; skipper Will Tomkins and Parisio all having big games.

Lock Steve Long and number eight Jude Rotton were also prominent.