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Okehampton U16s 22
Cleve U16s 14
OKEHAMPTON warmed up for their Plate final this week with a hard fought victory over touring side, Cleve.
As usual, the Okes were much the smaller side but matched their visitor's physicality and always looked dangerous out wide despite atrocious underfoot conditions.
Cleve opened the scoring as their outside centre, who was outstanding all afternoon, ran through a non-existent Oke defence to score under the posts, leaving a simple conversion.
Okehampton grew in to the game though and the next quarter, although mainly played out in the middle third, saw them with the lion's share of possession. Several half breaks were thwarted before the home side suffered the blow of Lewis Taylor going off with a chest injury. The following play saw the Okehampton restore parity as Conor Stevens cut another great line and supported well by the pack, crashed over. Jack Davey, in the absence of Taylor, slotted the extras.
The game was evenly matched with neither side taking the upper hand as it became a war of attrition in the mud. Cleve took the lead again with the final play of the half when the Oke defence parted like the Red Sea and the visitors took full advantage, again scoring under the sticks to leave the conversion a formality.
Playing down the slope in the second half the Oke turned up the pressure and were soon rewarded with a penalty for coming in at the side and Davey struck a fine kick to reduce the arrears.
Oke then ensconced themselves in the visitors 22 for the next 20 minutes as they looked to take the lead. Time and again they were foiled though through a mixture of great defence and poor execution. Eventually though, up stepped Oli Francis, to crash over in the corner. The conversion attempt went wide but the Okes now held a one point advantage.
Back came Cleve, showing tremendous character and energy at the end of their tour as they looked to finish with a flourish. The Oke defence was much better organised than the first half though and constantly repelled the visitors' attack.
The final score of the game came as Cleve looked to attack from their own 10-metre line but Conor Stevens capitalised on a loose pass in midfield to fly-hack through and win the race for the touchdown, Davey adding the extras.
n This week Okehampton U16s play the plate final at Cross-in-Hand, Ivybridge against Exmouth, kick-off at 1pm.
Exeter Saracens U15s girls 15
Tavistock U15s girls 25
WITH rigid determination and a well defined strategy, the Tavistock girls deservedly beat the 'Best in the West' team from Exeter.
In first 20 seconds the ball was picked up by Exeter from the Tavistock kick-off, and fed to their full-back, who rounded the town three-quarters to score under the posts. Fen Eastaugh learned from that experience as from that moment she tackled the full back, not allowing her to score again.
Gradually, Tavistock gained the upper hand in the loose play, improving possession, which gave Lilly Mills space to cross the line and draw the scores level.
Approaching half time, a penalty for a high tackle gave Tavistock the ball on the Exeter 22. The penalty was taken short by Lilly Hillson initiating a cascade of off-loads, finally allowing Ebony Jefferys to squeeze in on the far left.
After the break there were two further tries by Michaela Roberts. Exeter threatened to comeback with a break-out try, but Tavistock were determined not to let this game slip.
Towards the end the Tavistock were always on top and a well worked try by Lizzie Crocker, with great support from Rosie Crosby, Eleanor Mills and Tilly Cole finally brought the match to a close for a superb win for Tavistock.
Exmouth/Minehead
U15s girls 0
Tavistock 15s girls 24
TAVISTOCK were up against a combined Exmouth and Minehead team. The confidence from the earlier win rolled over into this match.
The visitors soon started the scoreboard moving with another try from Lizzie Crocker converted by Lilly Mills before tiredness set in.
A break for an injury at the end of the first half was the tonic the town girls needed. They came out rejuvenated in the second half scoring three well worked tries from Alice Mills-Hicks, Lilly Mills and Lizzie Crocker. Lily Mills again added the points.
This was another stylish and well deserved win for the Tavistock girls.
St Brendan Old Boys U14s 0
Okehampton U14s 14
OKEHAMPTON entertained a touring team from Bristol and remained in the opposition's 22 yard line for the first 10 minutes but good defence and tackling by the visitors Oke out.
Jack Raymond opened the scoring for Oke with a good individual effort. Not long after Jack Raymond added the second just before half time. James Bowden added the extras.
The second half started as the first but St Brendans were growing in confidence and good, scrambling defence kept the visitors.
Okehampton U14s 21
Bideford U14s 7
BIDEFORD, who have grown in size and
commitment, took the game to Okehampton who really had to work hard against a much improved side.
Bideford intentions were clear — give it to the big guy and play off of him. The score was 7-0 at the break to Okehampton by the way of Johnny King.
In the second half Bideford again showed their intention from the kick off.
However Oke's Daniel Thorne and Jack Dickinson scored tries although Bideford continued to cause Okehampton problems with their large second row player touching down to score.
Again the home side's conversions were taken by James Bowden who
seemed to be able to kick between the posts from anywhere on the park.
This was a fetching end to Okehampton U14s rugby season. The whole team can be proud of their performance and take great pride in their achievements.
Exeter Chiefs U15s 7
Tavistock U15s 49
THIS was a great team effort from Tavistock with a fine win away against the Exeter Chiefs.
Both the Tavistock forwards and the backs performed well with scoring opportunities coming from some great passing moves, enablling the team to score seven tries in total.
The line outs worked well as the backs created opportunities to move the ball fluidly down the line.
The coaching and training all paid off to come together at the end of the season.
The forwards comprised of John Lord, Joe Burbage, Morgan Turnock, Archie Trevethan, Archie Allen, Tom Pearson, Peter Bull and the backs were Jacob Staig, Luke Lewandowski, Jack Smyly, Lochlan Fulton, Zac Gorton, Jude White, James Paxman, Jake Houlberg.
Due to the great performance, the whole team was awarded man of the match.
Topsham U11s 0
Tavistock U11s 0
FOLLOWING their success at the Devon festival last week Tavistock travelled to Topsham for a four way tournament with Topsham, Devonport Services and a touring side from Old Leamingtonians.
The first game saw both teams fighting tooth and nail for possession and territory via some strong forwards play and blitz defence from both sets of backs. It was an equal competition with a deserved scoreline.
Old Leamingtonians U11s 0
Tavistock U11s 14
TAVISTOCK adjusted quickly to the uncontested scrums to score through a great pick up from a ruck and a sprint for the line from James Roissetter.
Tavistock wingers Ollie Samson and James Kenyon tackled hard out wide to keep the wide running attacks at bay. Scrum half Tom Persse was eventually rewarded for his distribution and sniping runs with a second half try. Conversions from Edward Tait and Kiran Warner added the extras.
Devonport Services U11s 0
Tavistock U11s 14
IN another hard fought battle both sides tried to outmuscle each other with a fine display of hard tackling and strong running.
Tavistock edged ahead after a scything run from Ollie Sampson down the touchline fed Kiran Warner who popped the ball inside to Ben Mckenzie running from deep to power over the line.
Harry Edwards finished the job in the second half after some solid phases took him close enough for a well-earned try.
Reuben Coleman and Dylan Owen were solid in the back room at the scrum and mauls with and Edward Tait and centres Harry Edward and Matt Davey keeping the opposition on the back foot with strong pressure and great tackles. The reward was a clean sheet from a solid Tavistock defence.