Devon two

Devonport High School Old Boys 14

North Tawton 31

EARLY in the match North Tawton were pressing into the Old Boys' territory when a fumble by a defender spilled the ball loose and North Tawton's outside centre Cameron Rickerby snapped it up. He outpaced the full back and went round him to touch down for a try. With the conversion completed by fly half Jamie Stevens Tawton took an early 7-0 lead.

Tawton continued their attacks and shortly gained a penalty on Old Boys' 22 metre line. Scrum half Jack Phare took a quick tap and laid off a perfect pass to flanker Mike Young, who broke through for a good try under the posts. Stevens added the extra two points.

Following a rare foray into Tawton's half Old Boys best effort was a drop goal from distance which had little chance, but better play by them in the loose had Tawton back-pedalling in defence. A break down the right wing threatened the Tawton line but their tackling was good and their defence held firm.

A run from deep in his own half by Tawton's Stevens made great ground and a deliberate obstruction gave them a penalty on the 22 metre line but they failed to capitalise on the position. Shortly afterwards another chip through by Stevens was again fumbled close to the line and the quicksilver Rickerby was through for his second touchdown for Tawton to make it 19-0.

On the final play of the half Old Boys put together a decent attack and were awarded a penalty on Tawton's five metre line where number eight Dell Swatton surged across the line for a try, converted by fly half Alex Buckley.

In the second half a turnover by Tawton's forwards in the loose fed the ball to right wing Alex Arthurs on the half way line; he broke free down the right and rounded off with a good try out wide.

A good break and step by Old Boys Alex Buckley put him through for a good individual try, which he duly converted to take Old Boys up to 14 points. Towards the end of the game Tawton took a tap penalty from about 10 metres and as the melee unfolded Tawton's captain and prop for the day Steve King forced the ball down and was awarded the try. Jamie Stevens rounded off a good performance with the final conversion giving Tawton a win and a bonus point for four tries scored.

This takes North Tawton into second place in the league with 18 points, three behind Old Technicians.