Devon 2 League Torpoint/St Columba 0 North Tawton 0 THE North Tawton side were hoping to repeat last week?s encouraging win over Plymouth Argaum, when they ran out winners by 17 points to 3. Neither side was able to dominate in this lively but frustrating encounter. There were chances for both sides to get onto the scoreboard but the early penalty attempt for Torpoint/St Columba was to set the pattern for the kicks to come as it drifted wide of the mark. An immediate response by North Tawton, involving Charlie Ewen from the right wing dropping out and following up by the forwards led to an excellent cross-field move by the three quarters. The ball was fed out to Dell Matravers on the left wing, and his chip through and follow-up was unlucky not to result in a try for the visitors. After this encouraging start a state of stalemate developed, even though both sides put in a lot of work. There was endeavour without result, with both sides attempting good moves but failing to gain any advantage. St Columba?s tactic during this phase was to peel round the back of the scrums or loose mauls, but they were met full on by the Tawton back row, which this week included the welcome return of Richard Nye at Number 8. Nye and flankers Phil Wonnacott and Andy Poole were picking off the breaking players and when Columba tried to move the ball wider they were met with equal ferocity in the centre by Zac Matravers and Phil Wale. A penalty attempt for Tawton was pulled to the right and when play resumed it was more of the same, now with Tawton?s prop Richard May doing the damage to the breaking St Columba players. Tawton attempted several moves using second row Adam Hooper or prop Danny Wonnacott standing off at first receiver and although progress was made using this tactic St Columba were able to stifle the attacks. Another penalty, this time to St Columba on the half hour was also missed, and now both sides rather lost their rhythm. The set pieces were still evenly contested, possibly with St Columba showing an edge, but Tawton?s centres Zac Matravers and Phil Wale were disrupting any attempts by the home three quarters to break out and use the ball they were given. Richard Nye was also playing well around the scrum fringes, tackling hard and scavenging loose ball for his team.
