Tavistock 67

Devonport 5

WITH the cup matches approaching, whereby all matches are fifteen-a-side, Tavistock traditionally cluster with Newquay. As a lead-in to this, a cluster match was organised against Devonport, a team which has always been strong.

Co-ordination between players often results in errors when the teams initially combine. It was essential that Tavistock and Newquay did not lose focus during that critical period.

Finding that the Devonport defence was frailer than anticipated, they pushed forward and rapidly made ground. Firstly, Kim Upcott, broke through to make a few meters and laid the ball back for Kaitlin Bridge to drive forward again. Nimhn Byrne took on the drive and broke through three tackles to dive in under the posts.

Tavistock were strong in the scrums - winning all of their own ball. This gave the backs the platform to show Devonport a clean pair of heels. The ball came out from the scrum and Annabel Longden at fly half looked for space and made the break and out-flanked the Devonport defence to score the first of her four tries. She continued with the boot to convert six.

The Devonport defence line was unable to contain the Tavistock attacks. Bronwyn Rundle carrying the ball always progressed beyond the game line and eventually was rewarded, when from 40 meters out, she found herself in space and out-sprinted the defence to score under the posts.

With the score of 38–0 at half time, Tavistock switched to a full frontal attack. It wasn't long before Maddie Cinnamond broke out from the maul with the ball in her hands. Seeing her opposing prop marking her, she backed herself to sidestep her opponent and scored the first try of her career.

Kim Upcott broke through the maul with free space and she took the opportunity to score at pace. Annabel Longden scored again and Shannon Hocking scorched round the outside of the defence and finally Lizzie Crocker scored under the posts to round off this truly unexpected demolition of Devonport.

Devonport are not a poor side and given the opportunity are capable of scoring well. They demonstrated this when with two small Tavistock mistakes, they pounced on the ball, to score a try in the middle of the second half.