North Tawton 5

Cullompton seconds 12

NORTH Tawton rang a few changes with their team for this non-league fixture against a strong Cullompton second team.

After a frenetic start a penalty for North Tawton gave them a chance to clear their area and settle things down. Cullompton gave them no time on the ball however, and gained ground with penalties of their own. A mistake by North Tawton in the line gave Cullompton a chance to break out and their number eight Jim MacLaughlin went over for a try. The conversion was missed.

Good driving play by Cullompton's pack and strong running by their threes took them close to Tawton's line but the determined defence held out. The home side responded with a good spell of play, notably by their back row trio of Keith Jones, Steve King and Mike Young, and forced a penalty out of the defenders. The kick to the posts faded and the score stayed at 5-0 to Cullompton at the break. An injury to Tawton's hooker Adam Davis brought on Chris Warren to the front row, his first outing for the club.

A chance for Cullompton from a penalty by Tawton at the restart was missed and a break by their full back was stopped with a try saving tackle by Tawton's centre David Fewings. Fewings put in two more tackles in quick succession before the Tawton defence rallied.

North Tawton's Chris Martin came off injured, to be replaced by Dan Dennis. Cullompton's pressure breached the defence following a scrum 10 metres from Tawton's line, as their prop Josh Wooff broke through for a try. Ben Prouse converted to make it 12-0 to Cullompton.

Long penalty kicks to touch by Tawton's captain, Rob North, took his side to the Cullompton 22 metre line and drives by the forwards drew repeated infringements from the Cullompton defence. A yellow card was shown and the visiting prop took a ten minute rest. Any advantage Tawton might have gained in the set pieces was nullified by uncontested scrums being called, Cullompton not being able to field a front row replacement.

An interception by Tawton's David Fewings split the defence and he sprinted in for a try from his own half.

The conversion just missed, giving a score line of 5-12 to Cullompton. North Tawton finished the stronger but they were unable to increase their score despite going close at the end.

n This week North Tawton are away to Plymouth Barbarians.