Bideford 3rd 3
North Tawton 15
WITH a biting wind blowing across Bideford?s back pitch, North Tawton kicked off in anticipation of a much-needed win to reward the hard-working team, who have not fared well in league games this season.
From the start they pressed forward, following a probing kick from fly half Fewings. A powerful run from inside centre Charles Ewens and a neat lay-off to supporting forwards kept the pressure on and led to a defensive scrum close to the Bideford line.
A fumbled pick up allowed Tawton?s scrum half, Martin Friggins, to capitalise on the error and skid in for an opening try. The dream start was crowned by the conversion by Ross Lawrence.
Bideford?s dangerous looking threequarters were able to breach the gain line several times, only to be rebuffed by stout defenders. From one turnover in the tackle Tawton?s prop Danny Wonnacott led a charge out of defence and the home team was pushed back.
About 30 minutes into the game Bideford had their chance to get onto the scoresheet with a well-taken penalty kick by fly half Rob Patterson. The rest of the half was played out with the powerful driving of Bideford?s big pack being countered by the marauding play of the Tawton back row and their darting scrum half Miggins.
The start of the second half saw both teams stand back and wait for things to happen. Fifteen minutes into the period Tawton substituted Richard Lethbridge for Steve Hann in the back row. Shortly afterwards Bideford?s Paterson at fly half made a good break only to be hauled down by Tawton?s Gary Dennis.
The Tawton pack was finding the measure of their opponents and even through the Bideford threequarters continued to threaten they did not look likely to break through.
Soon after winger Simon Fear had made way for welcome new North Tawton player James Leaman they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, which Lawrence converted to edge the visitors ahead.
In the last stages of the game Bideford threw all their efforts at breaching the try-line and were awarded a penalty close to the line. Things went wrong for them, as Adam Hooper scooped up the loose ball and broke out of defence.
North Tawton?s tall second row had the whole pitch to run, and with Bideford fully committed to attack, his long-striding pace outstripped the flailing defensive tackles to score Tawton?s try of the season in the far corner.
The conversion missed as the final whistle blew, but Tawton had come away with a well-deserved win to encourage them for this week?s return to league business, away to St Columba/Torpoint.