North Tawton 22
Bideford III 27
NORTH Tawton entertained a strong Bideford side in a friendly played in good weather and good spirit.
Despite mistakes on both sides it was an entertaining game, and for once North Tawton were in the nice position of having players in reserve.
Both sides had their fair share of the ball.
North Tawton were unlucky when a loose ball was picked up by Bideford?s Mark Ashcroft on the halfway to race over for a converted try under the posts.
When Malc Fewings had to be replaced by Brown Cardoo after Fewings had made a surefire try-saving tackle it looked as if it was not to be North Tawton?s day.
But they rallied well and movement involving winger Adam Wise and wing forward Kevin Avery put Dave Quick over for a well take try in the corner.
A classic break by Brown Cardoo in the centre put second row Adam Hopper over for a try converted by Joe Fewings.
North Tawton certainly had the upper hand at the break to lead 12-7.
After the interval they rang the changes to give everyone a game.
Darren Waldron returned at prop after a long lay-off and new boy Nick Wyatt slotted well into the back division.
With Paul Grange on for Simon Fear and Richard Huxtable replacing an ever improving Steve Hanns.North Tawton looked hard for the win.
It was against the run of play that centre Mark Harris went over for Bideford to level the scores. North Tawton then got a Joe Fewings penalty followed by pressure which saw Bideford kick out poorly and winger Paul Grange scored a well executed solo try converted by Joe Fewings.
But Bideford came back into the game. It looked as though their better match fitness would take its toll and it did.
A converted penalty followed by a converted try by winger Steven Duda saw Bideford snatch the match in the dying minutes.
North Tawton are home in the league this Saturday to Plymouth Argaum, kick-off 2.30pm.