Devon 3

St Colomba 7

North Tawton 13

NORTH Tawton made the long journey to Cornwall for another important league fixture.

A much changed side saw a new front row in the shape of Stuart Moffart and Simon Dufty at prop with Nigel Dennis at hooker — and a great success it was.

The game started evenly with the pitch a great leveller, but it was North Tawton who took the initiative after 20 minutes when a move down the left saw winger Adrian Grimshaw switching play back inside for flanker Richard Nye to crash over for an unconverted try.

The game was still in the balance when ten minutes later St Colomba's No 8 picked up from a maul and drove over for a converted try to put the home side up 7-5 at the break.

After the interval North Tawton began well but as in previous matches began to pick up injuries and when David Quick, John Stone, as captain, and Paul Taylor went off it did not look good. But with replacements Simon Fear and Danny North deputising, North Tawton did not lose momentum and were rewarded with a penalty, well struck by full back Ross Lawerence to edge the visitors back into the lead.

However, the heavier St Colomba pack began to take its toll up front, but with newly returned scrum half Phil Whale getting the ball away well it set North Tawton's three quarter up for many a counter attack.

Phil Whale set Adrian Grimshaw on the wing to run half the pitch for another try — he is fast becoming North Tawton's finishing expert, with some tries having been set up by a cohesive back division.

Two forwards competed for North Tawton's man of the match. One was Simon Dufty at prop and the other Neil Peters in the lineout, who got more than his fair share of the ball.

A good all round performance saw North Tawton move to number three in the league with two wins, two losses and a draw.

l North Tawton win was saddened by the death of one of its stalwarts, Nelson Bolt over the week. The club extends commiserations to this rugby family of North Tawton.

l North Tawton First are looking for a home game this weekend, while the Seconds are away to Bideford Thirds.