Tribute Devon One
North Tawton 10
Old Plymothians and Mannamedians 14
A STRONG opening attack by the Plymouth side OPMs set the scene for a tough game for North Tawton in freezing conditions at Taw Meadows.
The home side's defence held out and a breakaway from their own 22 metre area was continued with a good run by second row James Henshaw to take play almost the full length of the pitch. Neat linking with his scrum half and a final generous pass out to left wing Tom Chisholm gave Tawton the opening try against the run of play. A good conversion by David Fewings gave them the first seven points.
OPMs replied immediately with a well-worked try for their full-back Henry Matthews looping outside the defence on the right flank; the conversion was missed to make it 7-5 to Tawtonafter ten minutes.
The set scrums were evenly matched with neither side able to dominate and Tawton edged their way back into OPM territory. Hooker Alfie May laid the ball off well for Henshaw, backing up. He almost made it over the line but was held up and Tawton came away with the award of a penalty. The kick was opted for and duly slotted by Fewings taking Tawton into a 10-5 lead.
OPMs again came back strongly and gained a penalty from which a lineout was formed. A take and drive by the OPM pack was held up over the line by Tawton's hard-working flanker Dave Gibbs to deny them the score. They did not escape entirely since OPMs were again awarded a penalty and this time winger John McGarry converted the three points.
Tawton's number eight Steve King staged a break off the back of a maul and with good recycling in the loose play Tawton were on the front foot as the half ended with the home side 10-8 ahead.
The second half again saw OPMs on the offensive and Tawton soon conceded a penalty and McGarry edged his team ahead with another three points. The visitors were pinning Tawton in their own half much of the time calling for determined defence, notably from Tawton's other flanker Will Hawking. The pressure told however with the conceding of another penalty in range for McGarry to take another three points.
Once again it was the defensive game which kept Tawton in touch and, despite a threatening charge by OPM's number eight, they held out for a final score of 10-14 to the visitors.
This means North Tawton slip behind OPMs by one point in the league.
n This week North Tawton travel to Ilfracombe for the delayed second round of the Devon Junior Cup.
The club is already planning for next season and is looking for a coach to continue their development; details on the club website.
North Tawton are holding their 125th anniversary dinner on April 30 and invite any past members to contact Sarah on 01837 82704 or Helen on 01837 82869 for details and tickets.