North Tawton 16

South Molton

Seconds 15

NORTH Tawton had a much rearranged side for this friendly and were without skipper Neil Peters due to injury.

Dave Quick filled in at scrum half for his first game in this position, and Tony Ash returned at full back as did Eddy Dawes in the centre. Richard Huxtable led the side.

South Molton made the early running and were camped in North Tawton?s half for the first ten minutes.

North Tawton slowly began to come together and after some scrappy play saw the reliable Joe Fewings slot a penalty to take the lead.

No 8 Phil Arnold began taking control at the base of the scrum and a charge down saw another North Tawton penalty taken by Fewings to leave the score at half-time 6-0.

Play was even after the break and it was no surprise when South Molton scrum half Steve Ayre went over for a try.

Another Fewings penalty saw North Tawton hold the lead at 9-5. Then they were unlucky to have two disallowed tries, one by Paul Ayris and the other by Phil Arnold after some good ruck and pressure from the pack.

Arnold fed Richard Nye for a well taken try converted by Fewings and everybody thought a win was on the board.

But South Molton came back with a try by No 8 Chris Lee, then a breakaway from the visitors? 22 saw them leave the scoreline at 16-15 with a quarter of an hour to go.

It was a nail-biting finish but North Tawton held on well until the final whistle, none better than the front row with Phil Moses making a welcome return and man of the match Peter Bragg both propping and playing well.

Dave Quick was again a revelation at scrum half and kept the game moving nicely along with able help from his outside half Joe Fewings.

A sorely needed win, but done the hard way.

l North Tawton are away in the league this Saturday to Old Techs at Plymouth, kick-off 3pm.

l North Tawton and Okehampton?s 8 to 11s are to join forces. This will lead to alternate training and games being held at both the clubs.

When playing at the venues they will wear the home club?s colours.

Everyone wishes this venture every success in furthering rugby.

North Tawton ladies are also training hard on Tuesdays and are looking for more players. They hope to play their first game soon.