Devon two

THE awkward trip to Salcombe was rewarded for North Tawton with all five league points with a hard fought win over a resilient Salcombe side who played their part in a competitive match.

While the score suggests perhaps an easier time for the visitors it was only in the last quarter of the match that the away side really took control and pushed on to claim the important bonus point which keeps them top of the league.

The match started well for North Tawton which almost resulted in an early try but a good intercept stopped the chance.

For the next hour it was nip and tuck with Salcombe seeing more of the ball and not afraid to run at the Tawton defence which while tested at times did a good job of holding firm.

The first try of the match came from Ryan Goss to give North Tawton; the conversion by James Bowden made it 7-0. From the restart Salcombe came back with some good running rugby but did not manage to breech the Tawton wall before another away try by Matt Baker, albeit with a missed kick, took the lead to 12-0.

Close to half time Salcombe pushed hard for their first score and had a lot possession on or abouts the Tawton five yard line and they had their reward with a try to make it 7-12 to the visitors at the interval.

A good team talk in the break fired up the men in black and gold from the start of the second half whistle; a well worked try from the backs resulted in a good support run from scrum half Jack Phare, who went over under the post for a try; the kick was added by James Bowden to give Tawton a bit of breathing space at 7-19.

Salcombe, though, did not lie down and carried on as before with plenty of possession running at Tawton and their second try took the score to 12-19. Thankfully for the visitors, up popped Craig Dennis, with a strong run for Tawton’s fourth try; James added the conversion to make it 12-26.

This last try seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home team and a further penalty from the boot of James Bowden it sealed the win.

This was a well deserved win with all wearing the black and gold playing their part against a spirited Salcombe side who are better than their league position suggests.