North Tawton 10

Plymouth Argaum 10

IN this important league match both sides were looking to consolidate their position in the table.

A good crowd saw North Tawton start in fine style with attacking play led by captain John Stone, ably supported by vice-captain Martin Horn in the forwards.

For the first 30 minutes they were in control and it resulted in an Adrian Grimshaw try. He collected the ball from his wing position to run from the halfway line to score under the posts. Scrum half Joe Fewings converted with ease to put the home side 7-0 up.

The game began to even out and on the stroke of half-time Plymouth Argaum had a scrum 10 metres out which they controlled, to allow veteran No 8 Steve Venkort to plunge over for a converted try, to allow the visitors to draw level.

The second half saw the wet weather and pitch become a great leveller. There was a series of dropped passes and missed tackles by both sides, but a penalty for Argaum saw them go ahead for the first time.

Thirty minutes into the second half a Joe Fewings penalty saw North Tawton draw level.

With all to play for in the last quarter, the match descended into scrappy play and at the end a draw was a fair result.

North Tawton Seconds 0

Bude Seconds 22

ALTHOUGH Bude started the better organised side, North Tawton were playing only their second game of the season and the second since February.

But to North Tawton's credit they took the game by the scruff of the neck and played some great rugby with centres Tony Williams and Richard Mansell to the fore.

When Bude did counter-attack, Graham Killick at full back was well up to the job.

North Tawton took a quick penalty and with David North going over it looked as if they had got their just deserts, but unfortunately play was called back by the referee for a technical infringement.

But even up to the break North Tawton were well in charge thanks to superb interchanges between the brothers North, Danny at No 8 and David at outside half.

The second half was a different story with Bude beginning to take control up front and a try on the wing soon following.

North Tawton lost, through injury, full back Graham Killick and outside half David North, and were down to 13 men.

Three more tries to Bude quickly followed.

But when No 8 Danny North limped off North Tawton were down to 12 and the referee blew the whistle early — a good decision in this friendly but well contested match.

Man of the match: youngster and newcomer Matt Weeks at hooker, an impressive game which augurs well for the future.

l North Tawton firsts are away to St Columb in the league this Saturday while the second are looking for a home fixture.