Tribute Devon One league

North Tawton 6

Wessex 42

FOR this home fixture North Tawton were in their new strip, with which they were presented before the kick off by Alan Balsdon of Balsdon Vehicle Services (BVS), Okehampton. Unfortunately they did not produce a performance to match as they went down heavily to a well-drilled Wessex side.

After a frenetic start by both sides Wessex finished off a good cross-field passing move with a try for wing R Hart, converted by fly half T Gwynne to make it 7-0.

North Tawton had a chance to come back at them following a scrum on the Wessex five metre line as Tawton's wing Mike Symons drove for the line but he was held. Another opportunity came with a penalty kick for Tawton from 40 metres but the ball skimmed outside the upright.

Wessex scored another good try with an overlap by full back A Alderman to go over on the right. The conversion was missed. The home side worked their way back into Wessex territory and another penalty chance came to Tawton, this one converted by David Fewings, playing at fly half.

As the half came to a close Tawton fumbled a lineout taken inside their 22 metre area and Wessex number eight S Adams forced his way over the line. Gwynne converted to move his side into a 19-3 lead. Tawton were penalised for holding on in the tackle Wessex took the penalty kick/lineout option and from the ensuing maul they rumbled over and Jamie Morgan touched down and at half-time the visitors led 24-3.

Two early penalties were conceded by North Tawton in the second half — the second resulted in a sweeping attack by Wessex, cutting the Tawton defence to pieces, and both were converted by Gwynne to take Wessex to 30 points. Then it was Wessex's turn to be caught offside at a maul and Fewings doubled Tawton's score to six with his kick from the 22 metre line.

North Tawton put in a better spell of attacking rugby with scrum half Matt Weekes bossing the back of the scrum and driving his forwards.

Wessex scored two more tries to extend their lead further.

Alan Balsdon of Balsdon Vehicle Services hands over the new team strip to North Tawton captain Paul Turner, representing the co-sponsors for the kit, South West Refrigeration.

Picture by Pete Hoggins