TAVISTOCK narrowly missed out on a third piece of silverware this season as they went down 23-19 away at South Molton on Sunday in the final of the Devon Junior Plate.

The Counties Two Devon champions and Lockie Cup winners thought they had won the match at the death when winger Jarden Hunter crossed in the corner, but the try was ruled out after the touch-judge said he had put a foot over the line.

“Maybe if they had been a TMO it might have been given as a try,” said Tavistock head coach Joel Caddy.

“But the touch-judge said ‘no’ and at the end of the day, it is their decision that counts.

“However, we have not had a bad season, making two finals – winning one – and also becoming league champions.”

Tavistock, who were missing a number of players, including key backs George Hillson, Charles Bowden and Jake Le Gassick, were leading 12-5 at half-time, but Caddy felt they should have been further ahead.

“I think we lost it in the first half,” he said. “We made too many unforced errors. It might not have cost us points, but it cost us the chance to keep the pressure on.

“If we had scored at least another try in the first half then it might have been different, but it was a good game.”

Andrew Schuttkacker scored two tries for Tavistock, with Jack Easton also getting one and adding two conversions.

Meanwhile, Tavistock’s second team are at Twickenham today playing in the Community Game Takeover event. The Tavistock team will play against Doncaster Phoenix II, East Peckham & Paddock Wood and Leicester Lions III.