Liskeard U15s 7
Tavistock U15s 12
COLD, wet and windy and a mud bath to boot gave the playing conditions relished by both teams. The first few minutes saw Tavistock under tremendous pressure. Repeatedly Liskeard drove forward, keeping the ball in the pack. Tavistock managed to win the ball on three occasions but were unable to clear their line effectively. After one mistake too many, Alex Hall finally crossed the line for Liskeard, and the try was converted by Sam Nicholson.
Liskeard had certainly mastered the playing conditions early on. There was no further score in the first half. Although the game remained an even contest it was noticeable that Tavistock was the fitter team. The heavy conditions began to tell on the home side, as Tavistock were not only making the telling breaks but also getting numbers quicker to the breakdown.
As the second half progressed Tavistock took control both in possession and territory and had Liskeard on the back foot. The break through for Tavistock finally arrived midway through the half, after a planned move from a scrum, the ball was kicked through to the left wing Jeremy Massey-Birch, who before Liskeard's fullback and winger could get to him, scampered over the line from ten yards. The conversion was missed.
Only Liskeard's stout defence prevented Tavistock's continous surge for the line. The all important breakthrough came in Tavistock's favour, when Dominic Connor scored his first try for the club. It was a just reward, not only for Dominic, but for all the forwards, all who had played magnificently.
With the clock running down, Liskeard found renewed energy and drove upfield but Tavistock held firm.
Tavistock squad: Jeremy Massey-Birch, Dominic Connor, Kris Sprangle, Martin Budden, Jack Crozier, George Glover, Chris Swash, Jamie Duncan, Kyle Maslen, Freddie Ludwig, Sam Northmore, Tom Rousson, Jesse Sandhu, Ryan Skews, Roger Blandford and Calvin Chin.