Tribute Devon two

Devonport High School

Old Boys 3

North Tawton ended the season in equal second position in the league with 24 points. They were just behind Old Technicians on points difference, 198 to 201. with New Cross winning Devon 2 on 30 league points.

Overall this was a fantastic performance by the team and a credit to the club and their captain, Keith Jones.

Early in this final league match of the season a penalty chance for North Tawton was sent wide; DHS Old Boys came back and had the home side back-pedalling to their 10 metre area. But for a try-saving tackle by Tawton's right wing Matt Weekes they may well have scored.

North Tawton re-grouped and a good kick through by scrum half Rofe and follow up work by forwards Mike Young and Clint Brown earned a penalty five metres from Old Boys' line. The tapped ball was passed out to Mike Young who went through for the first try, converted by fly half Rob North.

Sound scrummaging by Tawton's reliable pack matched the strength of the Old Boys unit and started to get ball for their threes to use. A break by outside centre David Fewings almost ended in a try as he ghosted through the defence, only to be held up about five metres out. Tawton won a penalty as Old Boys dived over the ruck and North slotted the penalty kick to take Tawton into a 10–0 lead.

Old Boys replied immediately with a penalty by fly half Alex Buckley. Unfortunately an injury to the Old Boys' scrum half, with no replacements, meant they were down to 14.

Tawton's Clint Brown reacted fastest from his number eight position to a mistake by the visitors' scrum to pounce on the loose ball for a try for Tawton to move into a 15-3 lead.

Just before the half ended a brilliant break by Simon Quick carved a gap in the DHSOB's line, he passed to flanker Keith Jones who side-stepped inside the defenders and go over under the posts. The conversion by Fewings was good and Tawton ended the first half 22-3 ahead.

The start of the second period was evenly contested as Tawton's pack started to dominate the set plays with the front row of Pete Wonnacott, Alfie May and Tom Phillips providing the anchor.

North Tawton opened the second half scoring with another try for Jones off a pass from Fewings, who also converted to push Tawton on to 29-3.

A promising break by Graham Sage on the wing was called back for a forward pass and another strong run by Mike Young was held up by the DHSOB's defence.

The next score came for Tawton's Mike Young forcing his way through for a try, which was converted by Fewings.

A penalty tap for Tawton was quickly taken by Rofe and his pass out to Fewings in the centre for another try, converted from out wide.

The final score was fittingly completed by North Tawton's Keith Jones who received a generous inside pass from Fewing. This gave Jones a hat trick of tries in the match, crowning a very successful season as captain of North Tawton.

David Fewings duly converted for a final score of 50-3 over a gallant Old Boys side who never gave up the challenge.

• Next week North Tawton host a friendly match against old rivals Exeter Saracens.