Devon and Cornwall

Hayle 16

Tavistock 24

SECOND placed Tavistock travelled into sunny Cornwall anticipating one of their toughest games of the season against fourth placed Hayle. With only four games remaining they continue to hunt down league leaders Honiton two points ahead in the league.

Tavistock started playing into the wind knowing that the home side would test their resilience and work rate with their bulky line up.

Hayle began as the more dominant team unleashing their strong runners towards the Tavistock defensive line with strong tacking from new prop Ollie Dugmore and the Tavistock back row trio of Duncan Law, Andrew Schuttkacker and Mark Friend.

Tavistock gave away the first penalty of the day for the illegal use of hands in the ruck - however, the resultant kick at posts sailed wide. The following 22 drop out was sent long by the powerful boot of Richard Golsby-West. The subsequent phases of play resulted in numerous turnovers from Tavistock centres Ross Batten and Doug Lloyd. A quick turnover on the halfway line provided the first opportunity for Tavistocks Ewan Smith to turn the Hayle defence with a kick deep into the opposition's 22. This lead to a footrace between Tavistocks winger Charlie Furnivall and Hayle's full back, but there was only one winner as Furnivall chipped on and touched down — 0-5 to Tavistock against the run of play. The conversion into the wind veered wide from West. For the next 20 minutes Hayle dominated in all areas using their strong pack of forwards to outmuscle the visitors' defence. Tavistock started to lose their discipline giving away penalties within their own half. Hayle chose to kick to the corner and use their well drilled set piece to attack the try line. A driving maul followed by quick recycling of the ball enabled their flanker to find a gap in the defence and cross for the home side; a successful conversion gave Hayle a 7-5 lead.

Tavistock responded with hard running from second rows Andrew Griffiths and Dan Oner complimented by the fleet footed Danny Luffman. The Devon side worked themselves within five metres of the try line; a quick break from Smith allowed him to find captain Lloyd James with an inside ball who crossed the whitewash with ease. West slotted the conversion putting Tavistock back in the lead 7-12. But Hayle had the final say of the half as Tavistock were once again penalised for illegal rucking; the penalty made it 10-12 to Hayle.

Tavistock struggled to impose themselves in the second half, being put under pressure by their own mistakes and infringements giving momentum to the home side. The next score was gifted to Hayle when a penalty was given away in front of the posts allowing them to poke over a kick and put them into the lead 13-12.

Hayle dominated the next 20 minutes as Tavistock lost their discipline including a visit to the sin bin for Adrian Baker. Hayle took the three points to stretch their lead to 16-12. With 15 minutes to go and 14 players on the pitch Tavistock were staring into the face of defeat. A quick break in midfiled allowed winger Ben Hadfield to show his pace as he raced for the corner, but a Hayle full back appeared from nowhere to provide a try saving tackle and put the ball into touch.

Hayle won the resultant line out but good pressure from Tavistock forced a charge down over the home sides' try line. Tavistock were awarded a five metre scrum as Adrian Baker returned to the field. A solid platform was provided by Matt Martin for some quick phases of play, Hayle's defence stood up well but the consistent Duncan Law used his strength and speed to bulldozer himself over the line to the relief of the Tavistock players. West converted and Tavistock were back in the lead at 16-19.

Griffiths, with less than two minutes to go, stole the ball from an Hayle attacker in midfield; his a short off load sent Hadfield deep, and he passed to Batten who cruised past a chasing prop to score the bonus point try and seal the victory.

n This week Tavistock face league leaders Honiton at Sandy Park and would welcome all supporters to join them for one of this important games. Kick-off 3pm.