OPOs 1st 11

AFTER last week's good win against high flyers Marjons in the league North Tawton went looking for a second victory against a Plymouth side.

They started in great style with the forwards winning good first scrummage ball and some excellent ruck ball in the loose.

Against the run of play a penalty was given which appeared to go wide but to the surprise of both sides a score was given. So despite some even play in the first half North Tawton could consider themselves unlucky to be 3-0 down at the interval.

After the restart North Tawton started in much the same vein with newcomer Phil Arnold at prop leading the way in grand style.

North Tawton were awarded a series of penalties but failed to convert. From the last of these penalties North Tawton scored.

A fumble by the OPOs gathering the kick saw second centre Phil Wale, backing up, take an opportunist try to put North Tawton into the lead at 5-3.

Then when skipper Dai Roberts went off injured to be replaced by Phil Wale and with Danny North coming on for injured Paul Taylor North Tawton seemed to take a grip on the game. They were beginning to look like winning when a bizarre event happened in the last 20 minutes.

OPOs' hooker had a nasty injury and while waiting for the ambulance it was decided the game be transferred to an adjacent pitch, flags, padding and all.

This seemed to throw the visitors who immediately gave away a penalty which was quickly followed by a high up and under from OPOs and from the resulting ruck saw their big No 8 crash over for the winning try.

A close game that could have gone either way was won by the home side, who leapfrog North Tawton in the league into fourth while North Tawton drop behind in fifth.

l North Tawton should be home to Ilfracombe seconds this Saturday but due to the fact that Ilfracombe are struggling to raise a side it could be a game between North Tawton first and seconds, kick-off 2.30pm.