North Tawton 20

Prince Rock/Woodland Fort 11

IN the home side?s last game of the season, bottom of the league, they only had their pride to play for ? and how they did.

With North Tawton going down they also had the good news that Devon League Two and Three were to combine next season with the teams only playing once to leave more time for ?friendlies?.

So it was up to North Tawton to prove they could hold their own in the new set-up.

The visitors were below full strength as some players were on service in the Gulf, but despite that they started strongly and were soon rewarded with a penalty by Steve Fredricks.

But North Tawton looked sprightly in attack with Phil Whale and scrum half Kevin Greenwell and Brown Card, linking well in the centre.

North Tawton missed a penalty and the game swung from end to end. At the interval the visitors were 3-0 up.

After the break Prince Rock/Woodland Fort came out full of spirit and after a quick penalty were rewarded with a try in the corner by centre Chris Luckett. This was quickly followed up with a penalty by Steve Fredricks and the game looked to slip away from North Tawton.

But North Tawton?s commitment, exemplified by captain Neil Peters, has always shone through and with Phil Whale at scrum half making dashing breaks it was not long before wing forward Kevin Avery got the pass that put him over for a Joe Fewings converted try.

Now the game was on a knife edge with the score at 7-11. Then outside half Joe Fewings slotted a penalty to take North Tawton to within one point of the lead. North Tawton were now playing the better rugby both up front and in the backs, none more so than prop Matt Williamson.

Another Joe Fewings penalty saw them take the lead for the first time in the match.

The icing on the cake came in the final minute when a good drive from the lineout saw Kevin Avery feed veteran prop Fred Bolt to cross the line again, to be converted by Joe Fewings.

North Tawton club dinner is on Saturday May 10, tickets still available.

The annual meeting is at the clubhouse on Thursday May 15. All are welcome.