Withycombe put in a statement performance to end Tavistock’s unbeaten run with a superb 22-12 victory at Raleigh Park.
From the start, both sides showed some good intent. Tavistock enjoyed the lion’s share of the early attacks and broke the deadlock when a loose ball from Withy was booted towards the try line. This set up a foot race between the two sides and with Tavistock launching on the ball first.
Withy hit back with some positive attacking moves and, despite a penalty attempt hitting the posts, they continued to pile on the pressure. Pressure turned to points shortly after when a driving maul was set up on the Tavistock 22’ and marched the distance to the line.
With the maul being collapsed under the pressure, the referee headed under the posts to award Withy the penalty try. The exciting rugby continued until half-time, with the scores remaining level.
The Moorlanders now had the slope in their favour and used it well in the opening exchanges of the second half. Once again though, Withy defence continued to work hard, with each player doing their bit to keep the visitors away from the danger zone.
The points deadlock was broken as the game entered the final quarter with a superb long-range penalty from Withy’s Harry Symons. A three-point lead soon became more when an equally superb catch and drive crossed the try line from 5m out with Chris Gibbons emerging with the ball.
With little more than five minutes remaining, the hosts struck again in carbon copy fashion. Another catch and drive from 5m found the try line, this time Max Cooke peeled off at the last moment to score to an even greater reception.
Tavistock were out of contention for the win but still wanted more points and following a string of penalties and some persistent attack, they managed a second try next to the posts well into added time. With the quickly taken conversion hitting the posts, the game was brought to a close.
The Man of the Match award was shared between full-back Lewis Vaughan and the entire back row of the scrum!
Next weekend, the Withy boys head to the English Riviera to face Torquay Athletic in what will likely be a close third vs fourth battle.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here