MOORLANDERS XV travelled to Elburton to play a Plymouth University team in the quarter final of the Ellis Cup.

Moorlanders made a bright start to the game and spent much of the first 20 minutes in the Uni half of the field, but failed to turn some decent possession into points.

Against the run of play, the Uni opened the scoring midway through the half with a try from a breakaway.

With a man in the sin bin, the Moorlanders shipped three tries in the last ten minutes of the half, all from mistakes or poor defending. Simon Braithwaite pulled a try back for the visitors with the last play of the half, to leave the score at 22–5 to the Uni at the interval.

The second half saw more frustration for the Moorlanders, with the Uni scoring three more tries, all from breakaways when the visitors lost possession in promising positions. The Moorlanders scored three tries of their own, including well deserved scores from number 8 Steve Long and centre John Toms. Credicott added two conversions, to bring the final score to 39–24, in favour of the Uni.

Liam Mills, George Newman and Ash Toll all performed as a makeshift front row. Locks Graham Steer and Jack Jones were both prominent in the rucks and mauls. Steve Long had an outstanding game. Scrumhalf Niall Murphy and wing P J Wilcox also had fine games.

n Next week the Moorlanders are away to Okehampton in the Merit league, kick-off 2. 30pm.