AFTER a good home win the weekend prior, North Tawton travelled to Cullompton expecting a difficult clash.

From the kick-off, Cully’s speedy backs were right at it and they ran in two converted tries inside the first 15 minutes.

In true North Tawton style though, with a bit of reorganising, the visitors stared to get themselves into the game and a good, unconverted try from Luke Jenkins gave them a boost.

As if to reassert their authority on the match, Cullompton hit back with two more tries of their own, plus two conversions also.

North Tawton were starting to play their own game, putting some good attacking moves together whilst slowing down their hosts with some heavy tackling taking its toll.

Just before the break, Jamie Neilsen crossed for a second Tawts try, leaving them with an 18-point deficit and a flicker of hope.

It wasn’t long before Cully picked up again in the second half though, taking the score to 35-10.

Now almost playing for their pride if nothing else, North Tawton only know heads-up rugby and a converted try from man of the match George Nye kick-started a potential comeback.

With the victory just out of reach, Archie Muxworthy crossed late on to, at the very least, earn his side a try bonus point.

The scoreboard read 35-24 when the ref blew his whistle one last time and whilst it was a hard game for the Tawts, they could hold their heads up regarding a typically resolute fight back against a really astute Cullompton side.

Elsewhere in the Counties Three Devon North and East division, there were wins for Exeter Engineers, New Cross, Sidmouth 2nd XV and Okehampton 2nd XV.

North Tawton, who hit sixth at the time of writing, visit third-placed Sidmouth on Saturday, October 17.