Tribute Devon 2 League

Ilfracombe 17

North Tawton 10

WITHIN minutes of the start a loose, high ball from Ilfracombe was not cleaned up by North Tawton and a missed tackle allowed their scrum half to make a break. A forward pass to his supporting player was not spotted and the first try was run in unopposed. The conversion was missed, giving Ilfracombe an early lead at 5-0.

North Tawton responded well and a break off the back of a set scrum by number 8 Steve King opened a gap for the pass to scrum half David Fewings, who broke a tackle and ran in a good try out to the right. The conversion just missed and the score was levelled.

Ilfracombe's reply was rapid and uncompromising and within about a minute they had run in another try, leaving the Tawton defence in tatters. Again the conversion was missed, but the Ilfracombe threes had the momentum and kept up the pressure.

Another attack was stopped by a strong tackle from Tawton full back Tom Davis, but support was on hand for Ilfracombe and a third try was conceded by the visitors. This time the conversion was good and Ilfracombe moved into a 17-5 lead with only about half of the first half played.

The North Tawton pack began to establish superiority in both set and loose play with regular front row men Tom Phillips and Pete Wonnacott propping experienced scrum coach Neil Davis who had stepped in at hooker to cover for unavailable players.

Tawton drove Ilfracombe back on several occasions and finally gained a set scrum five metres from the home line. The defence was sound and a long clearance kick relieved the pressure temporarily.

A speculative kick downfield by Ilfracombe was collected by left wing Graham Sage who returned the kick down the touchline to the Ilfracombe five-metre line.

Early in the second period a crash ball to Grayling saw him again break the gain line and draw a penalty from the defenders. The kick to touch gave Tawton a lineout five metres from the Ilfracombe line.

The ball came through to the back of the line where Pete Wonnacott cleaned it up and set up a drive to the line. The ball was forced down over the try line by King for Tawton's second try. Again the conversion was missed, so the score stood at 10-17 to Ilfracombe.

There was a chance in the final minutes for Tawton to at least draw and come away with a league point. Ilfracombe had a scrum called against them five metres from their own line and as the Tawton pack drove over the line too-eager hands knocked the ball on and ended the chance.