Western Counties West Tavistock 23

Okehampton 32

TAVISTOCK entered the first derby match for a couple of years with high hopes and feeling positive. However, it was the visitors who came away with a bonus try win much to the disappointment of the Moorlanders.

Tavistock started brightly with scrum-half Smith scoring a long range drop goal thanks to the aid of the upright to put them 3-0 up in less than a minute. Oke responded immediately. A good pick up and subsequent grubber from Oke centre Tom Powell turned the Tavy defensive backline. Winger Rob Fishleigh fly-hacked the loose ball and won the race to the touchdown, to put the Okes into a lead that they would never relinquish. Craig Dennis slotted the conversion comfortably.

The first half then settled down into a pattern with Tavistock dominating possession however they were unable to break a strong Okes' defence.

After Craig Dennis and home fly half Richard Goldsby- West had both missed penalty opportunities, Tavistock\s Luffman did manage to reach the try line but could not retain the ball as he attempted to ground the try.

Oke made the most of this let off with second rower Sam Turner, popped up in the centre to cut a line as he straightened, and strode clean through the middle to cross to the left of the posts to give Oke a 12-3 lead.

Winger Craig Dennis then showed good technique to gather the ball, and beat his opposite man on the outside to cross for a fine try that, although unconverted, establish a sizeable 19-3 lead. There was still time in an action packed first half for the hosts to respond. Oke were starting to rack up the penalty count and right on the interval they paid the price. A kick to the corner ending with a rolling maul from which second row James Bruner emerged claiming a touchdown. The ref was satisfied it was grounded cleanly, and West slotted the extra two to leave the match well poised at 19-13.

Then right on the break Oke struck a decisive blow; after a pick up from a close range scrum by number eight Neil Perrott, Sam Turner was again on the spot to cross in the right corner for 24-13 at the break.

With the introduction of veterans Baker and Masirewa Tavistock  looked to start the second half stronger however things became worse as Baker was sent to the bin for 10 minutes due to dangerous play within a maul.

The 14 men of Tavistock who up until then were continuing to dominate and looked the more likely to score.

Replacement for Okehampton, Buzz Brimmacombe, then matched Smith's earlier effort with a drop goal to extend the lead.

The reappearance of Baker bought new life and urgency to the home side's game. On a foray into the Okes'  22 Luffman cut a strong line to crash over for a try.

Tavistock were next to score as Masirewa, who had started punching holes through the opposition midfield, broke two tackles before offloading and from the consequent recycle Ross Batten crashed over in the corner.

Full back Luffman, exposing frailties in the visitor's defensive patterns before eight late points for the visitors ruined any hope of even a losing bonus point for the Moorlanders.