Tavistock Seconds 15 North Tawton 6 TAVISTOCK made a strong start and their pack quickly put North Tawton under pressure inside the 22 metre area. A collapse of the front row at a set scrum led to a neck injury for Tawton?s Pete Wonnacott requiring him to leave the field. North Tawton were able to weather the early pressure and their three-quarters began to move the ball well with wings Mike Symons and Alfie May getting into the action. Tawton gained a penalty about 20 metres out after sustained pressure and David Fewings slotted the three points. Tavistock came straight back from a tap penalty when their three-quarters set up a good try for their left wing Charlie Harvey. The conversion by Martin Credicott gave them into a lead of 7 ? 3. The strength of the Tavistock scrum was the telling difference at this stage, and a good maul drove Tawton back to their line. They were penalised for offside and Tavistock opted for a scrum. From the drive over the line back row Andrew Griffiths touched down for a second try. The conversion was missed, but the home side had stretched their lead to 12 -3. While the Tavistock pack were having a torrid time the North Tawton three-quarters were putting together some useful moves, and winger Alfie May made a couple of his crashing runs to take the game back to the home side. A long penalty kick by centre David Fewings pushed Tavistock back to their five metre line. Following a line out Tawton flanker Richard Lethbridge set up a good maul, emerging with the ball from the bottom of the resulting pile up like a ferret with a rabbit, and allowing Tawton to get another move going. Full back Tom Davis nearly went over for a try in the right hand corner and a five metre scrum for Tawton ensued but the strength of the Tavistock pack once again told and they drove the visitors off the ball. At the break Keith Jones replaced Steve Hann on the flank for North Tawton. In the second half although the home pack was still dominating the loose play, the Tawton forwards had settled to their task and were holding out well in the set plays. It was the threes who were making the most impact with good running from Peter Gyde, Chris Martin and Stewart Bowker challenging the Tavistock defenders. A long range penalty attempt by David Fewings drifted wide, but he soon had another chance when a Tavistock player was sent off following a foul on the ground. The penalty was converted to reduce the deficit to 6 -12. Tavistock replied within minutes with a well taken long range penalty by Martin Credicott to stretch the lead again. In the final stages both sides threw themselves back into the match. Tawton?s Symons collected a speculative kick from the Tavistock fly half and set off on a strong run down his wing. As he cut back inside the final pass out to Keith Jones went loose with the try line in sight. It had been a positive display by North Tawton against strong opposition. l North Tawton?s next fixture will be the Boxing Day event against the football club ? all are welcome to the festivities.
