Devonport High School

Old Boys 16

North Tawton 3

IN their second league game North Tawton came up against a strong, physical side in the shape of the Old Boys.

It was always going to be tough and it was obviously going to be even tougher when, after one minute, North Tawton lost their hooker and throw-in expert Lee Arnold.

Against a well drilled Devonport pack ball was always going to be in scarce supply and so it proved, with the home side dominating with some well rehearsed second, third and fourth phase ball.

It needed stout defence to keep them out and to their great credit the defence did so in the first half by only letting in the one try and one penalty to leave the score 8-0 at the break.

North Tawton, with the wind behind them in the second half, began some good kicking to the corners, but with no second phase ball readily coming they were reduced to one John Stone penalty which they well deserved.

However, Devonport continued to dominate up front and eventually were rewarded with a well taken try out wide which put the game beyond reach.

Captain Dai Roberts was full of praise for his team's performance and although looking for improvement all bodes well for the season.

North Tawton Seconds 48

Torrington Seconds 20

TAKING the field against their old friends and rivals Torrington, North Tawton were taken aback when the visitors broke free to score under the post and take a 7-0 lead.

North Tawton finally put a move together and Zak Matravers at centre took a good try out wide. Then, after 30 minutes, captain Joe Fewings slotted a penalty to take the lead at 8-0.

So, after a slow and scrappy start, North Tawton now seemed to come alive.

Sid Stoneman at full back made an excellent break to put Adrian Grimshaw away for a try on the wing.

An excellent blind-side break by scrum-half David Knott, playing his 34th consecutive season for North Tawton — surely some kind of record — saw the evergreen scrum-half put Adrian Grimshaw away for his second try.

And despite a missed opportunity for North Tawton in the corner and a penalty by Torrington the home side led 22-10 at half-time.

After the break, outside half Joe Fewings put in a fine grubber kick for wing Ross Lawerence to gather well and dash over for a fine try.

But North Tawton went to sleep and allowed a quick tap penalty to lead to a converted try to leave the score 27-20 to the home side.

Stung into action, a scrum 10 metres out saw the home side spin the ball out for Zak Matravers to cross the line in the best executed try of the match.

Then a breakout of defence saw winger Ross Lawerence head for the line and score.

With captain Joe Fewings kicking the conversions it was left to vice-captain Richard Nye to seal the match with a try from broken play 50 metres out.

l North Tawton firsts are away to Tavistock in the second round of the Tetley Vase, while the second team travel to Crediton thirds.