Devon Merit league two Tavistock seconds 78 Barnstaple thirds 10 PLAYING conditions were more suited to the cricket season, as Tavistock  seconds produced a fine display of running rugby in their Merit league game against Barnstaple thirds. The home team ran in a total of 12 tries and the visitors managed two tries of their own in reply. The first half was a stop start affair, not helped by a number of yellow cards and five players being sent to the sin bin in the first 40 minutes. Despite the comings and goings, with the forwards supplying plenty of good ball, the Tavistock backs were soon showing their paces and ran in five tries before the interval. The visitors replied with two tries of their own through their hard working forwards. The second half saw the home side continue to run the ball at every opportunity and Tavistock notched a further seven tries without reply and although the visitors' forwards continued to compete well, Barnstaple could not contain the pace and handling of the Tavistock backs. The home team's tries were shared by Dylan Pemberthy who scored three; Greg Moore, Tom Rickard, Rob Pratt and Nick Lane two each and Niall Murphy one. Nick Lane added nine conversions. The Tavistock front row of Dave Welsh; Joe Hair and Ash Toll competed well. Locks Jack Jones and debutant Dave Fraser were prominent. Skipper Joe Pook was always in the thick of the action and was well supported by fellow back rowers Sam Nicholson and Tom Rickard. Flyhalf Ewen Smith led the three-quarter line well and full back Dave Milligan, returning after a longterm injury, put in a solid performance.