Western Counties

Minehead Barbarians 17

Tavistock 17

TAVISTOCK's first league outing after promotion saw them come away from Somerset with a draw, a result they would have probably taken before the game.

However, the Tavistock players and management must have felt that this is 'one that got away' as the game was there for the taking, but for a lapse in concentration mid way through the second half. The first half saw the visitors forced onto the defensive in the early stages with Minehead using their pick and drive game. After ten minutes

Minehead managed to work the ball to the left and wing Ollie Thomas scored in the corner.

Tavistock settled into their own game and started securing good first phase possession. Flanker Duncan Law was in the thick of the action causing mayhem at the breakdown and around the fringes. With the forwards providing good possession Josh Sutton put James Kaminski into space and he ran through the centre channel to score close to the posts. Sutton converted to give Tavistock a 7-5 half time lead.

Early in the second half Minehead were reduced to 14 men with Simon Avison sent to the sin bin for a late tackle. From the penalty Tavistock kick for the corner and from the line out won by Andy Hunt the forwards created a driving maul and skipper Jake Phillips claimed the try.

Tavistock then lost winger Mark Hennesay and a reshuffled back line saw Richard West on as a replacement. Tavistock went to sleep for the next 15 minutes and when Minehead were restored to fifteen men conceded two tries. The first was from home skipper Tom White who picked up from a five metre scrum and scored, the second from Avison under the posts.

The final quarter was all Tavistock and with five minutes remaining James Kaminski grabbed his second try wide out on the left to level the scores. Tavistock continued to press for the win until the final whistle with centre Doug Lloyd and debutant wing Myles Ross both posing Minehead problems.

• This Saturday Tavistock play their first Western Counties home league fixture when they entertain Newquay Hornets at Sandy Park. Kick off 3pm.