Devon one North and East

North Tawton 0

Honiton 5

THE sun was shining on Taw Meadows this afternoon but not quite bright enough to show the way to a win for North Tawton in a close encounter against the top point scorers in the league, Honiton.

North Tawton put in a tremendous performance against a well-disciplined Honiton squad. Early mistakes by North Tawton gave Honiton the advantage and with their well-drilled pack driving strongly in the mauls it took determined and aggressive defence by the home side to keep them out. Tawton worked themselves back into contention and a break by David Fewings from scrum half made good ground, but they were unable to capitalise on the territory gained. When Honiton broke back a fumble in the Tawton defence almost led to a try and but for a try-saving tackle by Simon Quick.

Although Honiton were strong in the loose play, driving the mauls with good organisation, the counter-rucking by Tawton was ferocious to stop the attacks and especially by centre Jack Rawling.

When a chip through by the visitors opened up the Tawton defence again a try was on but full back Bill Sharp turned and raced back to beat the attackers to the touch down and prevent a score.

Just before the break a good attack by Honiton gave their centre a gap and his strong run broke the last tackle for a try leaving Honiton five points ahead from a taxing first half.

The second half began with Honiton again in the attack and a penalty to touch gave them a line out about 10 metres from the Tawton try line. Tawton's jumpers competed successfully for the ball and gave fly half Rob North time to put in a long clearance kick. Shortly after that it was Tawton's turn for a penalty which was tapped quickly by Fewings who made a break. He was supported well by second row Paul Turner, but he was tackled and the attack was disrupted. Honiton responded with a break down the left touch line by their mobile prop who looked set to go all the way to the line until Bill Sharp came in with a brave and telling tackle.

From a scrum 22 metres out Honiton launched another attack and a good line taken by their centre once again had the Tawton defence struggling. This time it was flanker Rob McBain who, at full stretch, tackled to prevent a score. Tawton had a scrum on their five metre line from which the ball passed to right wing Tom Chisholm who put in a neat clearance up the touch line to the half way line.

Having thrown everything into their attacks and coming up with nothing Honiton became frustrated and started to give away penalties