Tavistock's relegation worries take a turn for the worse

TAVISTOCK’S relegation worries in Western Counties West took a turn for the worse after a 29-0 defeat by Bideford in the basement battle on the KGV ground.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Bideford had not won a game prior to Saturday’s showdown with second-bottom Tavistock, who had lost all of their three previous outings.

It was Tavistock’s chance to move closer to safety – and they were still in the game until half time.

Tavistock’s lack of experience in almost every department was exposed in the second half as Bideford added three more tries en-route their first league win of the season.

Bideford (6pts) remain bottom, but have reduced the distance between themselves and Tavistock (13) to seven points. Getting ahead of Bude (18) Penryn and St Ives (19) is the target for both strugglers.

Marc Kerswill, the Tavistock player coach, said considering the gaps in the side the result was ‘not as bad as it could have been’,

“When you take out myself, Ethan Lamerton and Richard Cann, all carrying niggles, there were just 50 games experience between the rest,” said Kerswill.

“We had a couple brand-new to the game, and a few late returners, along with the couple of colts who have stepped up this year.