Clive White Cup North Tawton 5 Okehampton II 57 THE match ball for the first leg of this two-match home and away annual encounter was sponsored by Bert and Claire Bolt of the Railway Inn, North Tawton. Bert, a former player with the club, presented the ball to captain Andy Pyle before the kick off in front of a good crowd on Tawton's Centenary pitch. An injury to an Okehampton front-row player produced the first substitution, but within ten minutes they scored their first try through Dave Wills, following a good threequarter movement. This was converted by fly-half Mark Curtis. The strong Okehampton pack dominated play as North Tawton struggled in set scrums but though holding their own in lineouts, they had to defend hard. A penalty tap taken quickly by Okehampton led to a scrum on Tawton's five-metre line and the home side conceded a penalty try. Curtis slotted the conversion, followed with a penalty kick. North Tawton recovered and began to run at the opposition. They had a chance from a penalty kick and lineout on Okehampton's five-metre line, but the good take and drive for the line was held up. Tawton kept up the pressure, but were losing ground when a neat chip over the defence by fly-half David Fewings bounced unkindly and Fewings gathered the loose ball to run in the first Tawton try. The second half was all Okehampton's as the North Tawton pack came under severe pressure, and their threes were kept on the back foot for long periods. Despite excellent tackling, notably by returning back-row player Martin Horn, and the efforts of their young front row trio, Tawton were unable to keep out the Okehampton attack. Tries came from Dave Wills, two from number 8 Rob Jordan, one apiece for John Donovan and Simon Burden and in the final minute from Jamie Hoggins. All but one were converted by fly-half Curtis. After the match a draw was held in aid of the Honeylands Children's Development Centre in Exeter, a charity supported strongly by Bert and Claire from the Railway Inn. North Tawton Rugby Club was pleased to be able to contribute through the draw and thanks were expressed to all who took part.
