Falmouth Eagles 1XV opened up their Counties 1 Tribute Western West league 2023/23 campaign with a much welcomed win at the Rec against new arrivals Tavistock. With the Eagles 1XV having finished bottom of the table last season and opponents Tavistock having been promoted from Counties 2 Devon, winning 20 of their 22 matches, scoring an impressive 934 points, and finishing above some recognisable Falmouth foes in Withycombe and Honiton. Both sides went at each other from the off with Tavistock with much of the possession and territory in the first half. Despite this the Eagles 1XV capitalized on their opportunities when it counted, with captain Alex Bullock scoring in the corner after a well worked line out and drive by the pack from a lineout he started. Nick Carne continues to show his pace out wide racing from his own 22 to the oppositions to gain the team a penalty, which was slotted in front of the posts by Harvey Penhallurick. Tavistock came back time and time again with waves of attacks, but couldn't execute as the Eagles 1XV rallied around their own line to overturn several key plays. At half time it was anyone's game with Falmouth narrowly ahead 8-7. It would prove to be a battle of discipline over the next quarter of the game. Seb Firth at centre punched holes in the defence providing a solid platform for the rest of the backs to move the ball through hands, until Carne was rewarded with a try out in the corner which Penhallurick converted. One further penalty from Penhallurick sealed the win 10 minutes from time. Vice captain, Finn Deavin picking up Man of The Match for much of his sterling defence throughout this period and indeed the game.
Director of Rugby Tom Spiller said "We have shown great spirit here today, after a tough season last year, we came to enjoy our Rugby in perfect conditions in front of a home crowd. We've rallied together and kept the oppo out despite having less possession and territory. This team has youth on their side and there's much still to be learnt. We could have exited our half more efficiently at times but all in all we can move forward to our away game this Saturday against Tavistock. This was by no means a runaway win and results across the league show that there is not much between the sides at his early stage."
Counties 1 Tribute Western West Results:
Plymstock Albion Oaks 31-12 Paignton
Bideford 22-21 Bude
Kingsbridge 28-21 Wiveliscombe
Penryn 25-19 Tiverton
St. Ives 12-5 Prate Amateurs
Falmouth 18-14 TavistockFor Falmouth Eagles 1XV the win already sees them ahead of their points tally last season and there is a positive buzz around the Club.
The Eagles 2XV narrowly lost away to Lankelly-Fowey 36-29 in the dying moments of their first ever league game in Counties 3 tribute Cornwall having been promoted last season, many of the squad competing for first team places.
With a Rugby World Cup imminent the club reminds the community that Falmouth Rugby Clubhouse is a great place to watch the competition. There will be games shown through the afternoon with England v Argentina kicking off at 20:00 Sat 9th Sep.
