Devon one

Ilfracombe 7

North Tawton 19

ILFRACOMBE kicked off down the slope against the wind, both teams determind to put any memories of last week’s rugby results out of their heads.

North Tawton struck first with a fine try from Matt Baker, his first of two on the day; it was converted by Matty Dennis for 7-0 to the visitors.

This seemed to concentrate the minds of the opposition and Ilfracombe cranked it up a notch putting North Tawton’s defensive skills to the test; it was made harder for them by the short term loss of James Millar with the first of several head injuries. His replacement, Ben Sharp, came on but Ilfracombe scored their only points of the match with a try with added kick to make it 7-7. Some good tactical kicking from Simon Quick and Dave Fewings  kept Tawton out of too much trouble and the teams remained level at half time.

The next 40 minutes started in the same manner as the last; slowly but surely the North Tawton team started to take control, winning more break down ball and getting the better in the tackle areas - forwards and backs getting stuck in to some hard work. Despite the cold wind it was a good match to watch for the hardy spectators.

The visitors’ second try comes via some good work from the forwards and was touched down by Tom Cockerhill; a missed kick making the score 12-7 to North Tawton.

With a few injuries mounting the visitors used all their subs —includes the welcome return of Bill Sharp after a spell out with injury. Ilfracombe did not give up and they kept trying to get on the attack but some sterling defence North Tawton kept them out. However, Tawton’s Matt Baker picked up a loose ball and ran in from 20 metres for his second of the day; the conversion was added by Dave Fewings  to make the final score 19-7 to the visitors.

This was a well deserved away win from a determined North Tawton side, who all played their part with Matty Dennis man of the match.