North Tawton 13

Rockfort 22

ROCKFORT, unbeaten and at the top of the league, are a newly amalgamated club from Plymouth.

But North Tawton were well up to this encounter and played some of their best rugby this season in an exciting game.

When Rockfort missed an easy penalty early on it looked as if it might be North Tawton's day, as they began to take the play to the visitors.

However, it was Rockfort who opened the scoring from a well worked move that saw Fred Adams going over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Rockfort had their best spell of play, being quicker to the loose ball and putting North Tawton under pressure. From this, Steve Fredricks at full back crossed the line for a converted try to put the Plymouth side ahead 12-0.

North Tawton, to their great credit, came back strongly and with an improved rucking game in the forwards began to win more ball against the experienced and heavier Plymouth pack.

Some superb handling by the whole North Tawton side saw the ball go to John Stone, making a welcome return on the wing, to finish off the move for the best try of the match and leave the score at the break at 12-5 to the visitors.

After the interval North Tawton were caught cold by a quick penalty tap resulting in a try for scrum half Brian Sanderson.

Then with some help from the wind and great kicking by outside half Joe Fewings, North Tawton started to pin Rockfort in their own 22.

The forwards continued to ruck well and from one such move second row Neil Peters reached out and got a touch down to bring the score to 10-17. Shortly after, a penalty by Joe Fewings saw North Tawton draw nearer to what was beginning to look like a good win for them.

But try as they might they failed to cross the line. Typical was a dazzling run by Nigel Dennis in the centre — just as everybody was celebrating a score he was dragged down inches from the line.

Against the run of play, Rockfort scored a try, again by Fred Adams, in the last minute of this enjoyable match.

North Tawton can take great heart — they showed spirit exemplified by man of the match Phil Arnold at prop.

North Tawton are away to Cullompton Seconds this Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.