Devon two

North Tawton 10

Tamar Saracens 0

NORTH Tawton welcomed Tamar Saracens to Taw Meadow in a top of the table clash between two sides previously undefeated in the league.

The home side were able to field a strong squad of 20 players and distance themselves at the top of the table in a hard fought victory over a Tamar side that look like their closest rivals for the league title.

In a game dominated by strong defences, both teams were aware that one mistake would be the difference between winning and losing.

It was North Tawton who got out of the blocks quickest with possession and territory much in their favour; however it was not converted on the scoreboard as the resilient Saracens' defence held strong.

Tawton's strong front row proved the deciding factor. With conditions difficult neither team was successful in stringing together a number of phases going wide but instead had to avoid handling errors. Tawton did come close to crossing the whitewash after Saracens' hooker was sin binned for a professional foul on the 5m line but it was not be as half time closed in with the score 0-0.

The second half started with everything to play for. Tamar welcomed back their hooker to the field only to lose their centre for a dangerously high tackle on L Dennis in the midfield. Tamar were not punished; however, as once again, the man advantage was not utilised and the game remained a stalemate.

With a draw looking the most likely result both teams were doing everything in their power to break the deadlock. Tamar strung together a number of imposing phases deep into the Tawton 22 and looked sure to score until Cornthwaite made a tackle of huge importance preventing the game's first score. After clearing their lines just outside their own 22, an infringement at the breakdown saw Tamar have the first opportunity of points with a shot at goal on the 70 minute mark, which drifted wide.

With the ball back in hand Tawton quickly made their way up field and put the pressure back on the guests, this time resulting in a penalty awarded for dissent, duly converted by C Dennis. With four minutes to play the ball quickly found its way into the hands of skipper Letherbridge on the right wing, who skipped out of the first two tackles and nonchalantly glided half the length of the pitch for a solo score under the post, Dennis converting.

North Tawton held on for their third consecutive clean sheet and fourth league win out of four.