Devon two

Devonport High School Old Boys 0

NORTH Tawton were back to league action in an emphatic way against a spirited DHSOB side who made the long journey from Plymouth in the first fixture of the second half of the season.

With Taw Meadow hosting a vice-presidents and sponsors lunch prior to the game, much credit must go to the visitors who turned up with 13 men despite being on the receiving end of a 102-0 whitewash the last time the sides met.

In order to fulfil a full 15 a-side fixture, North Tawton lent the visitors the capable Tom Phillips and David Quick who turned out for the duration of the game.

The first 15 minutes could easily have been mistaken for a series of replays as five tries were shared between Ben Hancock (2) and Jordan Cornthwaite (3) who recorded the quickest hat-trick in recent club history.

The order of proceedings opened with Simon Quick securing the kick off and feeding Hammy Kerswill in 'Rugby League' style for the first phase – this followed with slick hands leading to the said try scorers coasting in under the posts uncontested. Alex Dennis added the first batch of what would be 12 conversions.

Further first half scores came from Jake Ayris and the mentioned Alex Dennis both finishing well worked tries in a clinical manor. Half time 47-0.

The second half started in familiar fashion for Tawton with scores from Luke Dennis, Jake Ayris earning a brace and Ben Hancock, who took his chance at scrum half, finishing a hat-trick with a nifty chip and chase under the sticks.

DHSOB did enter Tawton territory with a number of direct carries from their pack; however, it was short lived as the trademark line speed of North Tawton saw them prevent a score and earn their seventh clean sheet of the season.

With conditions becoming almost hurricane like expansive rugby was difficult to come by, but a series of decent support play saw five more tries for the hosts.

Ben Sharp added a brace and linked well with brother Bill who welcomed his return to the side with a five pointer; Cornthwaite tallied up his fourth and the ever reliable Matt Dennis finished off proceedings after turn over set piece saw him cross under the posts and see the Tawts agonisingly close to three figures.