North Tawton 28

Salcombe 16

IN North Tawton's first home league game they took on top of the table Salcombe.

The match started with both sides testing each other and was even stevens until scrum half Joe Fewings struck a good penalty for the home side.

This seemed to inspire North Tawton and they began to play some of the best rugby seen at home for a long time.

The forwards gained control over Salcombe's pack and when a great hook against the head by Lee Arnold saw the scrum go forward. The resulting ball saw Adrian Grimshaw on the wing scamper over for a well worked try.

North Tawton then began to turn the screw. They were first to the loose ball with excellent driving and rucking. This allowed captain John Stone at outside half to make some good runs but he was pulled up short to deny him a score.

It was now a hungry North Tawton putting great pressure on the visitors and when they got the ball the retention was good.

The forwards allowed scrum half Joe Fewings to feed hooker Lee Arnold for a good team try to put them up 13-0.

Against the run of play Salcombe struck a huge penalty by outside half Mark Lidstone and within minutes another just inside the home side's half which was converted to bring the score to 13-6. But North Tawton came back, typified by winger Nigel Dennis chasing everything.

The second half saw Salcombe take the game more to North Tawton, but the home side broke out, led by second row's Nigel Peters and Paul Taylor, in some sharp interpassing runs. Quick rucks and mauls followed and newly brought on No 8 Danny North crashed over for a forward try.

Another well worked try following some North Tawton pressure saw the ball go to John Stone who was not to be stopped for his try.

Salcombe winger Nick Pearn darted through for two tries in quick succession, but North Tawton held the winning hand and ran out deserved winners.

l North Tawton are away to Buckfastleigh in league this Saturday and hope to repeat this performance with some improvements, especially in the lineout.