Bideford Thirds 15
North Tawton Seconds 12
WITH no first team match it was left to the seconds of North Tawton to carry the flag.
On a bitterly cold day they got off to a slow start and allowed Bideford to run at them. Poor defence allowed Bideford to power over for a forward try which was converted to give them an early 7-0 lead.
But this was the spur that North Tawton needed and from the restart they seemed to pick up a gear. From a subtle kick ahead by skipper Paul Fewings at outside half, full back Ross Lawrence beat the opposition for the ball and ran in for a well worked try which was converted by Fewings.
North Tawton's younger forwards were coming to grips with Bideford's older and more experienced pack with the two second row newcomers Adam Hooper and Neil Peters dominating the lineout.
But against the run of play in this physical contest, Bideford got a try on the stroke of half-time to give them the lead.
The game continued in the same vein after the restart with Bideford dominant in the forwards while North Tawton held all the aces in their back division.
North Tawton made two substitutions in the forwards. Darren Waldren came on for Neil Davis while Richard Manwell came on for Malcom Fewings.
The second half was scrappy but North Tawton looked better as the game went on.
Against the run of play Bideford got into North Tawton's half and were rewarded with a penalty which they converted, to pull away 15-7.
But North Tawton were by no means done. They began to spin the ball wide and had Bideford in all sorts of trouble, with scrum half Phil Whale and outside half Paul Fewings linking well.
The game came alight in the last quarter and with the best move of the match, which saw all the players handling. Simon Fear on the wing slipped the ball well and, with centre Tony Ash following up, scored the try of the match in the corner. But Bideford managed to hold out to the final whistle.
l North Tawton Seconds are at home to Crediton thirds this Saturday.