North Tawton . . . . . .25
St Columba . . . . . . . .13
IN their last game of the season in the league North Tawton needed a win to hang on to their second place in Devon III.
St Columba scored in the very first minute. But such has been the new spirit in the North Tawton side they slowly clawed their way back into the game.
Joe Fewings, playing for a change at full back, brought the home side back into contention after 15 minutes with two well struck penalties to take the lead at 6-5.
North Tawton again fell behind when Andrew Wainwright slotted a penalty for the visitors. North Tawton then settled with their best phase of play superbly led by veteran Danny North. Lock Paul Ayris shimmied in for a well worked try.
North Tawton piled on the pressure and were rewarded with another Joe Fewings penalty.
After the break North Tawton furthered their lead with another Joe Fewings penalty.
At this point North Tawton seemed to sit back, especially in the forwards, and all of a sudden St Columba took control. With good ball from their forwards the backs began to press hard and it was no surprise when St Columba full back Simon Nicholls went over for his second try to put the score at 17-13.
Then there were a couple of great counter attacks by North Tawton. which saw a scrum 15 metres out. The ball was fed by talented scrum half Phil Whalt to outside half John Stone who literally crashed over for a try.
Joe Fewings got a final penalty in the closing minutes. and North Tawton ran out deserved winners in a well contested game.
Man of the match for North Tawton: Adam Hooper.
North Tawton are at home this Saturday to Okehampton II, kick-off 3pm for a local derby.