South Molton Seconds 5
North Tawton 33
AFTER a two-week lay-off due to weather-cancelled matches, North Tawton were due to play Marjons in the league. But the Plymouth side have now withdrawn and an away fixture at South Molton was arranged.
North Tawton started in fine style with an opening try in the first minutes. A move which involved the whole team saw Adrian Grimshaw on the wing finish off to put South Molton on the back-foot.
Within another ten minutes a great lineout take by captain Neil Peters saw a well performed dive from five metres out with the whole pack supporting Richard Huxtable at No 8, who got the final touch down.
Both tries were converted by outside half Joe Fewings.
There followed a period of scrappy play which seemed to let South Molton off the hook. After some good pressure they scored an unconverted try in the centre.
But North Tawton replied immediately. A set scrum in one corner saw the ball whipped along the back division to winger Adrian Grimshaw to get the touch down in the opposite corner for the best try of the match. It left the score at the break 19-5 to the visitors.
After the break North Tawton?s positive attitude was in evidence when good positional kicking saw a succession of mauls followed by scrum half Dave Quick releasing the ball to his forwards. Winger forward Nigel Denis, having another excellent game, went over for Joe Fewings to convert.
North Tawton began to let the ball out a little more and Adrian Grimshaw, the best winger on the pitch, got some chances to show his attacking flare.
Newly returned Phil Walk, subbing at scrum half, showed he had lost none of his sharpness and set off on some typical runs. From one of these he passed to ever reliable Eddie Daw in the centre to be crashed over for a try, again converted by Joe Fewings.
North Tawton can take great heart from this spirited performance and look forward to a league match against Old Technicians at home, kick-off 2.30pm this Saturday.