Devon Two League Plympton Victoria 24 North Tawton 0 CAPTAIN on the day, Stephen King, had worked hard to get together this North Tawton team to travel to Plymouth in the aftermath of the festive season. The team welcomed back two players returning from long-term injuries, Mike Symons and Andy Poole, both of whom were to play their part in a good overall team effort. Chris Martin had moved to fly-half, and kicking duties were shared with David Fewings and Tom Davis. Plympton started the game well and their bigger pack had the advantage in the wet and sticky conditions. An early mauling drive over the Tawton line failed to bring a try as the ball was held up by the defenders, but shortly afterwards a similar move was more successful for Plympton and they were able to force down the first try fairly wide out to the right of the posts; the conversion was missed, and Plympton moved into a five–nil lead. North Tawton started to play with more composure as fly-half Chris Martin varied the options between passing and kicking. Tawton's back row were also in the thick of the action, notably Alfie May, always prepared to take on the opposition and make ground. Tawton's three-quarters mounted a break out and a neat catch and chip by full back Tom Davis helped to pin Plympton back into their 22 metre area for some time. The home side defended well and Tawton soon found themselves back in their own 10 metre area. A mistake by the visitors as they tried to run out of defence allowed Plympton's fly-half to pick off a wayward pass and run in a second try, which he duly converted to take the score to 12-0. Both sides became convinced that kicking was the answer to their problems and far too much possession was kicked away unnecessarily, particularly considering the strong cross-wind which was blowing. Despite a good catch and mark by Tawton's Phil Elkins, Tawton again found themselves under pressure close to their line and a set scrum by the stronger Plympton pack was turned into a push-over try. This was also converted by their fly half and took the half time score to 19-0. North Tawton rallied well in the second half and showed a lot of guts and determination, and not a little skill in the slippery conditions, to keep Plympton pinned back in their half for long periods of the match. The home side showed little of their first half dominance even though they still had the push on Tawton in the set pieces. Perhaps this was why they chose a scrum in place of a penalty kick from an easy position and then lost possession to Tawton and gave scrum half Martin Friggins the chance to put in a good clearance. Shortly afterwards Tawton had their best chance so far of a score as Tom Davis kicked a penalty from about 30 metres which unluckily bounced off the cross bar. A lapse in concentration allowed Plympton back into the game, once more through the scrum. A maul close to Tawton's try line broke up and their prop was able to drive through for a try, which was unconverted. This took the score to 24-0 to the home team. Tawton finished the match with a flourish and several good breaks close to the right hand touchline nearly gave them the score they deserved as Keith Jones and Tom Davis ran hard at the defence. However there was no further score and the touchline jury awarded its man of the match award to Mike Symons.