North Tawton 6 Exmouth Seconds 6 ALTHOUGH dominating the line-outs for much of the match the big Exmouth pack did not have it all their own way in the set scrums as North Tawton were able to put on pressure through the front row. After ten minutes Tawton were penalised for going off their feet in a ruck and the Exmouth inside centre slotted a good penalty to open the scoring. There followed an evenly contested phase of the match as Tawton gradually regained lost territory but there was no clear winner and the referee's whistle became a familiar sound and contributed to a frustrating time for the players. At about the half-hour mark Exmouth were awarded another penalty 30 metres out and their centre again obliged with another three points. North Tawton came back with a series of promising attacks into the Exmouth half, but too many kicks gave away any advantage and Exmouth survived. A nice break by fly half David Fewings, supported by number eight Peters, also failed to penetrate the defence and Exmouth cleared with a long penalty kick. The half finished with Tawton starting to put together some better passing moves, but still not looking like getting across the try line. After the break new player Joe Madden came on into the Tawton back row to replace Steve King. A strong break off the back of a maul by Exmouth's big second row tested the home defence but good work by the Tawton three quarters thwarted the visitors. Another replacement for Tawton brought on Keiran Cree into the front row, the second player to make his home debut on the day. Now playing with the wind, kicking was paying off better and a high cross-kick was followed up strongly by Mike Symons on the wing to put pressure on Exmouth. A good break by Symons, stepping inside a defender sprinting to the line to touch down was ruled invalid as unluckily the referee called play back for an offside infringement. In the line-outs Tawton were now competing well, having moved Richard Lethbridge up into position where he was able to gain more height. At last a penalty kick came Tawton's way and David Fewings made sure with a good 40 metre effort to bring the score back to 3-6 in Exmouth's favour. Having established themselves in the Exmouth half Tawton were again awarded a penalty in the closing seconds of the match and Fewings again coolly stepped up to convert. The resulting 6-6 draw was probably a fair outcome but it had been a match for the players more than the spectators, with much endeavour on the field but a lacklustre spectacle for the supporters. l Next week North Tawton resume league duties with an away fixture against Salcombe.
