North Tawton A 61

Torrington Seconds 7

THE Torrington squad put out a strong pack which had the measure of their North Tawton opponents for much of the time, notably in turning over ball in the loose play.

It was in the backs that the game was won for the home side, starting with a tap and go penalty for David Fewings, playing at outside centre. He broke the Torrington defence for a try which he converted.

Soon afterwards fly half Rob North benefitted from some good front row play by Tawton's prop, supported by Mike Young. North collected the ball from a maul and went over for his first try, also converted by Fewings.

A long clearance by Torrington was well taken and run back by winger Matt Weekes, but again Torrington defended well and turned over the ball. North Tawton maintained their form and took a good 10 metre scrum off the back of which number eight Clint Brown peeled away and charged over close to the posts, converted by Fewings.

Torrington responded and put the Tawton line under pressure. A good drive by their prop almost resulted in a try but the Tawton defence held out. They could not clear their area, however, and Torrington's persistence paid off with a back row break off a five metre scrum, putting Arun Rundle over for their first try, converted by Adam Thorne.

Just before the break some excellent driving play by Tawton's second row James Henshaw, having one of his best games of the season, was finished off with a deft back-handed flick to centre Simon Quick. Quick completed the move with a try, once again converted by Fewings.

North Tawton rang some changes at the break but resumed the match in similar robust style. A nice move by their three-quarters created a gap for Rob North to break through for his second try, followed by a Fewings conversion.

Quick went over for the sixth try, this time converted by North, taking the score to 42 – 7.

Despite the continuing good scrum play by Torrington, giving the Tawton pack a hard game, they were no match outside the scrum.

Two more tries were scored by David Fewings. One conversion was missed but one was nailed by full back Lawrence McKone, taking the score line to 54-7 as the match ended. There was time for one more try, this one for left wing Johnny Grayling, a well-deserved reward for his many powerful charges down the wing. Fittingly the final conversion was cleared by Fewings taking his personal tally to 27 points.

• This Saturday North Tawton face Devonport High School Old Boys in the last league fixture of the season at home and are entertaining their sponsors to a pre-match meal.