Bideford U12s 30

Tavistock U12s 20

Bideford made much the better start and Tavistock lacked some of their lustre. The first two tries went the home side’s way but mid-way through the first half Tavistock started to win ball at the breakdown and defend with more assurance.

Bideford ran in another try before Tavistock scored via a strong run by Barney Reid. There would have been another quick score for Tavistock on the opposite wing for Chris Woolley but a last ditch tackle saw the ball lost forward.  Chris did not have to wait long though, as he ran in another opportunity before half time bringing the score to 20-10 at the break.

The start of the second half saw Tavistock start with pace and passion. Bideford looked uncomfortable as counter rucking rushed them off the ball and a charged down clearance gave Tavistock’s Brandon Allen their third try. The pressure continued and Bideford were playing much of the game in their own half before a break away try relieved the pressure.  Substitutions came into play but Tavistock’s Jacob Mitchell ran in the fourth try and James Lamb was unlucky to have gone into touch right by the corner flag to be denied a further score.

Bideford ran in one more try and it was a thoroughly entertaining game played with a great competitive spirit by both teams.

Tavistock U12s 30

Plymstock Oaks 25

GLORIOUS sunshine, but damp underfoot conditions greeted this match, which was a good game to watch.

Tavistock opened the scoring with a try following a straight incisive run by Callum. Debutante Brandon added a brace of his own while Finn, Jake and Matthew  added to the tally.

The visitors scored three times before the end of the first half. This game was free flowing and not being marred by too much hold up ball.

The second half was entirely different. Tavistock lost their shape and were defending desperately to keep out the visitors who started the game with a positive attitude. The home team were pressured into making mistakes, which Plymstock Oaks used to their advantage. The only scores in the second half came from the visitors but they ran out of time and Tavistock ground out the game for the win.

Launceston U12s 5

Okehampton U12s 10

DUE to injury and illness, several Okehampton players were playing in different positions, but this did not deter them.

An early maul gave an opportunity for Launceston to go, but he was chased and swiftly tackled by Adam. Oke passed well and working as a team. There was confident catching from Alex playing at fullback while Jacob and Ed jointly tackled following a cheeky Launceston interception and there were some worthy tackles from Shortie. A great try-saving tackle from Will stopped Launceston taking the first try. A ruck close to the try line did not quite get close enough for Oke to score and a lot of determination was seen from both teams and Saul scored the first try of the game at the end of the first half.

Launceston took the kick to open the second half with a kick straight to Craddy; a maul had Oke close to scoring but Launceston snatched it away; a quick tap tackle from Shortie kept them in check. Oke’s persistence paid off with a try for Lachs. Oke kept the pressure on, but Launceston did not back down — a loose ball was pounced on by Alex to prevent Launceston taking the try. Sparked into action, Launceston scored an easy try as Oke seemed to stand and watch. It was a good game to watch, Dan, Chris, Ed, Harrison for Oke all threw themselves into the match.

Bideford U11s 45

Tavistock U11s 40

THE first quarter was an even start but a break by Bideford from deep in their own half saw them take the lead. The rest of that first quarter had Tavistock camped on the Bideford try line but with no reward for their hard work. Sam Palmer made some crunching tackles and Sam Perkins performed a superb charge down of the ball.

The second quarter saw Tavistock go down to another try straight away but great determination from Ethan Baker released Ben Richardson to score in the corner. Tavistock then scored three more quick tries in a row. The first from Ethan Baker, after great work by Rufus McKensie Smith, the second from Ben Madar, running to the corner and then third try again from Ethan Baker. Some great presenting of the ball from Lila Kingsland could not stop Bideford drawing two more tries back to leave the score at four tries each at halfway point.

The third quarter saw Bideford go ahead again and then Tavistock scored straight back via a great run from Laird Whitford. More aggressive rucking from Ted Wilkinson and Joel Blake,  could not stop Bideford moving ahead once again but it was Archie Davies who gathered the ball to score for Tavistock and draw the game level. In the final close quarter Bideford thought the game was won after two quick tries but great chasing by Amelie White and a storming try from William Garside saw Tavistock get back into the game and a try from Amelie drew the game level yet again. Bideford just took the win, with a final try leaving Tavistock disappointed not to have gotten a deserved draw for all their hard work.

Okehampton U9s 1 try

Launceston U9s 2 tries

THERE was no quarter given by either side with ferocious tackling, notably from Ciaran and Wilf.

Determined running from Ewan and Charlie saw Oke surge to the Launceston line only for Thomas to be held up inches short of the line. A break took Launceston to the brink of scoring but Oke threw themselves into the tackle to drive the opposition back but eventually weight of numbers saw Launceston score. From the restart Mikey broke down the left and popped the ball to Zara who burst through two tackles to score in the centre before Launceston hit back to steal the result with a score right on the final whistle.

Okehampton U9s 1 try

Launceston U9s 1 try

MORE crunching tackling from Oke was the hallmark with Jacob and Dylan showing their dedication to the cause. With the teams evenly matched an entertaining end to end game ensued with great handling skills on show from both teams. Finding no way through the middle, Isaac got the ball out to Henry on the wing who danced past three defenders to score a skilful try. Launceston were determined to use route one and eventually powered over from close range to balance the scores.

Okehampton U9s 3 tries

Launceston U9s 4 tries

GOOD passing out of the tackle from Oke saw the game played at a frenetic pace. Oke kept the balling fizzing around the pitch during a 12 phase move which ended with Ciaran cutting in off the wing to score.

Launceston hit back with two scores despite the entire Oke team putting their bodies on the line with Ciaran and Wilf vying with each other to see who could put in the biggest hit.

From the restart, Zara broke down the left and overloaded the ball sharply to Rocco, who beat two defenders and popped the ball to Wilf who crashed through two more tackles to score. Launceston pulled one back almost immediately before Wilf broke from the half way line to bulldoze over for another try.

Okehampton U9s 8 tries

Launceston U9s 2 tries

OKEHAMPTON were set on their way with a smart intercept try from Toby opening their account. Oke moved up really well as a team giving the Launceston team no time to settle.

Jacob and Henry were b brutal in the tackle forcing the opposition to repeatedly go backwards. The try of the match game came from Lily, who collected the ball from the centre of the pitch in her own half and stormed her way through the entire opposition team to score in the corner.

Hard hitting tackles from Dylan led to Oke turnover ball which Henry scooped up to speed down the wing to another try. Oke made their superior possession and handling really count as both Toby and Henry showed their fancy footwork to pick up an additional brace of tries each.