Tavistock U13s 15

Liskeard U13s 24

THIS was a closely contested match between two strong sides. The first score went to Liskeard with a well converted try, but Tavistock responded with great attacking play resulting in a try by Charlie.

Liskeard scored again after making the best of a long ranging kick. Tavistock once more challenged the Liskeard scrum with sustained drives at the try line, and attempts by Joe and Harry to score.

Eventually Tavistock were rewarded with a try by Charlie because of the fantastic team support. Neither was converted, leaving the score at 10-12 at half time.

Tavistock made a strong start to the second half in the line outs, mauls and rucks with excellent displays of teamwork particularly by Angus, Braidy, Charlie and Harry. Despite this Liskeard scored once more but Tavistock boys battled unceasingly.

Morgan executed a great tackle and after strong attacks at the Liskeard try line Charlie scored once more, with Harry unlucky to miss the conversion. Bert at fullback made safe many of the long Liskeard kicks.

In the dying minutes Liskeard scored and converted from a loose ball. Tavistock coach, Pete Rodgers, complimented the team on one of their best displays of rugby skills.

Okehampton U13s 39

Bideford U13s 0

OKEHAMPTON started well and got off the mark quickly with the forwards winning good ball that was used well by the backs.

Harry Williams scored the first try for Oke and then winger Matthew Dennis scored the second after it was moved well along the backline.

Bideford then had some possession when an interception by Tom Strawbridge on the half way line resulted in a try for him. Some strong running by the forwards was finished off by Reece Peacock with a try under the posts.

In the second half Okehampton again dominated possesion with a further three tries. Both Harry and Reece added another, and after a good chip ahead by Brandon Horn, Marcus Heyward touched down. Two tries were converted, one by Brad Curtis and another by Brandon.

Okehampton had the majority of the play but handling errors frequently interrupted the game.

Launceston U11s 28

Tavistock U11s 7

TAVISTOCK began strongly with the whole team tackling well. The ruck and mauls were highly contested, with some excellent counter rucking from Jack, Morgan and Cyrus. 

Tavistock produced some quality rugby from the scrum half and fly half link, to allow Max P, Ali, and Ben R some good running opportunities. 

As the first half progressed, Launceston came into the game, using their very large props as battering rams, and scoring three tries in the first half.  This could have been more but for the resilient tackling shown by the entire team.  In the second half, Tavistock began to support their runners more, with Nathan, Max W and Reuben constantly breaking the gain line. 

After a great backs move displaying some good off loading, Jack ran around the outside to dive in at the corner.  The try was converted by Harrison.  The team continued to play well, but Launceston were awarded a try late on after the player had dropped the ball before touching down. 

Okehampton U11s 21

Exeter Saracens U11s 14

OKEHAMPTON turned in a sloppy performance, in at times atrocious conditions, but still came away with a victory.

Twice the home side were pegged back to level terms, mainly due to their own errors rather than good play by the opposition. Leon Horne burst clear to open the scoring, his try converted by Corey Holliday. The visitors soon levelled though and managed to keep it that way until the interval.

In the second period Oke regained the lead through a self converted try from scrum half Corey Holliday. Then missed tackles and failure to clear their lines cost Oke dear as Sarries levelled once more.

It was left to powerhouse Greg Daniel to drive over for the deciding score as the rain grew ever harder and the wind more blustery. Corey Holliday converted and Oke added another victory but know they can, and will, need to play much better than this in future.

Exeter Saracens U10s 20

Okehampton U10s 5

OKEHAMPTON battled well from the start with their scrum half, Gareth Crome, putting in some early good tackles. Saracens won most of the set pieces and their better rucking meant they had more possession in the first half. A break by one of their big forwards looked certain to result in a try, only for him to be stopped by a superb tackle near the try line by Dai Chi Budiman for Okehampton.

Unfortunately, the larger, stronger Saracens side continued to push Okehampton into their own half and went into half time by two tries up.

In the second half Oke came out with fresh determination and from a scrum Daniel Turney received the ball well from Kai Middleton to spin around the blind side to touch down. Shortly after Oke's James McCulloch, sprinted down the right wing, only to be dragged into touch a metre or so short of the line.

Saracens scored two more Oke were more than a match in terms of possession, determination and hard work.

Exeter Saracens U10s 25

Okehampton U10s 25

IN a second game Nathan Tomkins snatched the ball from Saracens and ran from the half way line, only to be tackled just before the line; however, Dai Chi was close to scramble the ball over the line for Oke to go into the lead. This was followed by two more tries, both by Nathan Tomkins.

In the second half, George Dickinson put in some crucial tackles for Oke and added a try as did James McCulloch. Oke though, with a smaller squad available to them, began to tire towards the end of the match which allowed Saracens to get back into the game to equalise.

Withycombe U9s 15

Okehampton U9s 20

Exeter Saracens U9s 15

Okehampton U9s 30

PLAYING in a three way mini tournament the young Okes put in a superb all round performance winning both their games and topping the table.

It took a while to find their range in the first game after having two tries disallowed for the ball being touched down on the wrong line.

Liam Daintree, David Smith, Jake Laing-Taylor (1 try), Robert Whitby and Saul Holliday all put in good workman like performances, showing great support for the team. Josh McCulloch(1) and Daniel Tomkins (1)_ both gave their all, with much improved direct attacks, setting the ball back well, with the latter scoring a great touch down after a bruising run. George Cox and Mathew Denning are both starting to grow in confidence with some good strong runs. Jordan Hill and Harry Laing-Taylor disrupted attacks well, holding the ball up and making some superb tackles. Sonny Luxton picked up any loose ball, turning defence into attack and was unlucky after good carries to have turnover decisions made against him. Cole Pengelly (2) put in another solid performance carrying the ball and tackling with real determination. Joshua Burgoyne (2), Daniel Wonnacott and Will Cunningham (3) all made powerful, elusive runs, offloading some good passes out of tackles, running some great lines and linking well with some clean accurate passing. James Close (1) played his best game of the season.

Well done to the whole squad on another strong team effort.

Tavistock RFC U9s 30

OPM U9s 30

TWO teams of shivering, eight-year olds turned a cold, grey and wet Sunday morning into an exciting hotbed of full on rugby.

Two different styles of play emerged and lead to an evenly matched game reflected very fairly in the score line.

Strong running from the Tavistock pack Nicholas Buckeridge – Hobbs, Oscar Campbell, Cameron Georgel and Tom Gardener and the backs Jack Baker, Harry Edwards, Noah Berridge and Harry Richardson, forced OPM onto the back foot to create the platform for  try scorers Harry Edwards (2), Noah Berridge (2) and Harry Richardson (1).

Scrum halves James Kenyon and Jack Lancashire worked hard to create these opportunities for  the backs.

Tavistock winger Dan Pett scored a well deserved try with a scorching run for the corner.  Louis Peake played a flankers game in pressurizing the OPM ball constantly. Despite this Tavistock were unable to dominate  the game completely and OPM deserved their equalising try. 

Tavistock U8s 19 tries

Launceston U8s 19 tries

IN the first half, aggressive tagging by Tom, Toby and Isaac for Tavistock, kept the score tight before Tom, Joe and Toby scored some superb tries.

Joeby, Ted and William all got their hands on the ball to keep the pressure on Launceston.

In the second half the game stayed close, as Tavistock developed some excellent support play which led to tries for Toby, Tom, Ted and Isaac. By this time Tavistock were down to six playeers but still took the lead twice.

In the final quarter Ted looked like scoring a crucial try, but just put the ball down after the dead ball lane; fortunately he redeemed himself quickly followed by two individual tries from Toby.

In the last minute Launceston scored to level. The skill level and spirit shown by Tavistock was superb throughout in their best performance of the season.

Exeter Saracens U8s 30

Okehampton U8s 10

EXETER were strong in defence and with a seven tag passing rule, Okehampton took a bit of a beating.

In the first half, Oliver Johns scored a try early on followed by Jay Jenkins, who scored three. This was not enough to make a dent in the eventual scoreline in favour of the Saracens and the same happened in the second half with Dillon Nicholas scoring a try, Jay a further three and Oliver (2).

All the team made a good effort but need to keep concentrating on tagging technique.

Exeter Sars U7s 3 tries

Okehampton U7s 6 tries

THE first game started on a high tempo with Okehampton able to spread the ball to there wings with relative ease.

Okehampton were captained by Ethan whose understanding of the game has improved match by match.

The Oke tries were scored by Marcus (4) Aedan (1) and Holly (1). The tagging in the first game was of a high standard and there was good all round play by Isaac, William and Milo.

The Okehampton team has made great improvements over the last few months with Joe and Cameron making some storming runs and showing great support play.

Exeter Sars U7s 5 tries

Okehampton U7s 6 tries

THIS was a slightly tighter affair with both teams being of a similar standard and this showed in the final score.

The Oke tries were scored  by Ethan (2) Josh (2) and Marcus (2) . There were excellent spells of inter-passing with Chris and Josh showing great awareness .  Again the tagging  was first class with Lachlen and Alex making some brilliant tags.

Both games were played in high sprits with both teams playing a high standard of tag rugby.