Devon Two League St Columba and Torpoint 16 North Tawton 14 NORTH Tawton took another changed side across the Tamar to contest this re-arranged league fixture, and in the early stages it looked as though spring time had come early as the Tawton team attacked the St Columba and Torpoint line repeatedly. Two strong runs down the left wing by Tawton's Andy Poole and some solid set piece play by the scrum were still not enough to crack the home defence as the visitors failed to capitalise on their early dominance. It was St Columba who opened the scoring with a penalty by fly half Phil Bennett almost half way through the half. This sparked a good reply from Tawton who were in turn awarded a penalty. The long kick by Tawton fly half Paul Fewings drifted wide but an excellent follow-up by centre Phil Elkins allowed him to collect the bouncing ball and touch down for Tawton's first try. The conversion was completed by Fewings and Tawton took the lead. St Columba came back into the attack and North Tawton had to defend desperately at times to break up some good three-quarter moves by the home side. A take against the head by St Columba's front row kept up the pressure and finally they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts as Tawton came offside. Bennett converted the kick to pull his side back to 7-6 behind Tawton and it stayed thus until half time. North Tawton started the second half much as in the first, dominating the play but again not taking full advantage of it. Flanker Richard Yendell was cleaning up good ball in the loose and second row Gary Dennis put in several good tackles. He was also carrying the ball strongly, making ground for his side. At last a good maul by the pack gave scrum half Martin Friggins a chance to break to the St Columba 10 metre line. They conceded a penalty, but this time the kick was missed. A long penalty kick from St Columba pushed Tawton back to their 10 metre line and a scrum was called. The home side took the ball and fed it out well to fly half Bennett who broke the Tawton line and went through for a try. This was not converted, but gave St Columba the lead. The game went to uncontested scrums due to injuries to St Columba's front row and their replacements. The Tawton front three of Tom Phillips, Adam Davis and Pete Wonnacott had been solid all afternoon, obviously too much so for their opponents. Tawton took the opportunity to make some tactical changes but it was St Columba who scored again off another three-quarter passing move as the ball was passed to the left wing Richard Dudman. His try was unconverted and the home side edged into a 16-7 lead. This sparked a spirited response from the Tawton squad. A good break off a line out by Gary Dennis saw him almost through and soon afterwards new player Matt Luckson made a determined run for the line, but was held up. Several times St Columba were penalised close to their line and they must have been close to conceding a penalty try. Briefly St Columba cleared their line but Tawton were not to be denied and in the last minutes a neat chip and chase by captain Andy Pyle took his team back into St Columba territory. A penalty and line out gave the ball to the Tawton threes; a good passing move found left wing Jim Hancock wide out and he dashed over for a well-deserved try. He had suffered an ankle injury in the first half but elected to keep playing. Paul Fewings successfully took the final kick from out near the far touchline. Unfortunately it was not to be enough as Tawton lost by two points. Tawton's man of the match was Gary Dennis for his strong running game and some crucial tackles made.
