North Tawton 28

Topsham 2nds 5

NORTH Tawton took this chance of a friendly to field a mixture of players in their progress to re-establish their second team.

North Tawton opened their account when some clean lineout ball allowed them to spin wide to winger Adrian Grimshaw to cross the line. Outside half Joe Fewings converted.

North Tawton, inspired by this, began to play a bit of team rugby typified by a break by Paul Ayris at second row to put the Topsham line under continuing pressure.

Despite a failed penalty attempt North Tawton continued to camp in the visitors' 22. It was from an attempted clearance by Topsham under pressure that Ross Lawrence at full back collected the ball and after a penetrating run released a superb pass to winger Adrian Grimshaw to collect his second try. It was converted by Joe Fewings.

On the stroke of half time North Tawton scored almost an identical try. A Topsham clearance found winger Andrew Pyle who fed full back Ross Lawrence. He again passed to Grimshaw on the opposite wing to cross in style for his hat-trick and leave the score at the interval 21-0 to the home side.

After the break North Tawton continued in the same fashion. A great individual break by outside half Joe Fewings saw him run half the pitch to score under the posts for Ross Lawrence to convert.

North Tawton seemed to take their foot off the accelerator and let Topsham back. Despite good forward play by Kevin Avery and excellent runs by second centre Tony Ash Topsham edged back.

They scored a well deserved try in the last quarter.

l North Tawton are home in their first home league game against Salcombe this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm. All support more than welcome.