New Cross RFC seconds 27

Tavistock RFC thirds 60

Tavistock third XV made the first trip by any of the club's teams to the recently formed New Cross RFC, who are based at Kingsteignton.

It was another good all round display by the town thirds. Colts Josh Bancroft, Jason Ward, Rob Guerrera and Ross Young all acquitted themselves well in the senior team. 

The Tavistock forwards slowly, but surely, dominated in the set scrum and gained more than their fair share of ball in the loose.

There were some strong performances by props Jim Ross and Matt Wright and another storming display from lock Bayard Peake.

The lineout was again an area that could do with some improvement, but nevertheless, the pack provided a ready supply of good ball for the backs to use.

The home team managed to keep their line intact for the first 15 minutes but once Simon Braithwaite had opened the scoring with a try converted by Steve Luffman, tries followed at regular intervals.

Four more tries were scored before half-time, two by Ross Young and one each for Jim Dunford and John Bancroft.

A further conversion by Steve Luffman and a sole try from New Cross left the half-time score at 29-5 to Tavistock.

The second half continued in similar vein and a further five tries were scored. Ross Young and Simon Braithwaite both completed their hat-tricks and Jim Dunford bagged a second score before retiring with a leg injury.

Steve Luffman completed the scoring, having sold two classic dummies on his way to the line. Two conversions from Luffman and one from Braithwaite brought the final score to 60.

New Cross kept plugging away and scored four tries themselves during the second half, taking advantage of some loose defending and tiring legs.

This was a good start to the second half of the season for the Tavistock team.