Devon Merit league

Tavistock Moorlanders 17

Torquay 17

HEAVY underfoot conditions and a galeforce wind blowing made for tricky conditions for this Merit league game.

The Moorlanders played down the slope with the wind advantage for the first half and took control from the off.

Three tries were run in in the first 15 minutes, from skipper Joe Pook, Matt Witcher and wing Simon Braithwaite. Centre Nick Lane kicked one conversion in the difficult wind, to give the home side a healthy lead of 17-0.

Although continuing to enjoy most of the possession, the Moorlanders failed to add to their score for the remainder of the half and were caught napping a few minutes before the interval, when one of the Torquay wingers raced clear from inside his own half and scored a try. Half-time arrived with the home side leading 17-5.

With the advantage of the elements, it was now Torquay's turn to dominate and the Moorlanders found it hard to break out of their own half. Despite constant pressure from the visitors, particularly from their bulky forwards, the Moorlanders were defending well and Torquay were not able to create any clear cut scoring opportunities.

Midway through the half, the home side claimed a Torquay player stamped on the face of one of the Moorlanders' forwards which sparked a lengthy mass brawl; when the referee finally managed to bring things under control, a player from each side was dismissed for brawling.

The Moorlanders had lost skipper Joe Pook to injury, just before the incident and this further unsettled the home side.

Torquay continued to press and ten minutes from the end scored a try from a lineout catch and drive, to close the gap to seven points.

With time running out, the Moorlanders continued to defend bravely, but with the last play of the match, the visitors mauled their way over the line for another try, which was converted with the last kick of the game, to bring the scores level.

It was a disappointing result for the Moorlanders, who failed to press home their advantage after the early tries. The last part of the game was spoilt by the incident.