Devon one North and East

North Tawton 31

St Columba/Torpoint 0

THE start of this match was delayed as two key St Columba players were involved in a car accident during the journey from Plymouth. It is to the credit of the team that they decided to continue with the fixture and North Tawton wish the two a speedy recovery.

Early pressure from St Columba brought them a penalty chance but the kick was missed. North Tawton responded well and some good work by the scrum soon found them at the St Columba line. A break off the back of a scrum by number eight Steve King, supported by flanker Mike Young, was held up and the ball was recycled to the threes where centre David Fewings took the pass to put him through for a try. The conversion was pulled wide, giving Tawton a 5-0 lead.

A second try for North Tawton came from a maul close to the St Columba corner flag. As it was being hauled into touch by the defending players Tawton's prop Tom Phillips ripped the ball out and went through for the touchdown. The conversion went wide.

Shortly after the restart a hack through by Tawton's right wing Alex Dennis was followed up well by the three quarters, and Tawton were again pressurising the St Columba try line. An attempted clearance by the full back was charged down over the line and Steve King was through to ground the ball for a try. This was converted by David Fewings to take Tawton into a 17-0 lead at the end of the first half.

North Tawton continued to dominate territory as the second half began and a driving maul by the scrum advanced them 10 metres further up the pitch to a set scrum ten metres from the St Columba line. A well controlled eight-man drive took them over the line for King to touch down the push-over try, converted by Fewings.

St Columba rallied well but following a scrum to Tawton on the St Columba 10 metre line the ball came loose and their number eight Stu Davison broke away resulting in a gain of territory back to the half way line. The respite was only temporary and Tawton were soon on the offensive. From the back of a maul the ball was spun out to the three quarters and full back Bill Sharp was on hand to take the pass and side step two defenders to go over for a try. Fewings converted to make it 31-0 to North Tawton.