Devon one

TORRINGTON 7

NORTH TAWTON 24

NORTH Tawton earned a convincing win away to Torrington, a team who themselves were in a good run of form and are always a hard team to beat at home.

At the warm up there was welcome sunshine but the minute the referee blew to start the game down came the rain, making conditions difficult for both sides. However, even playing up the slope the visitors gained control, scoring two tries — both scored by their captain Craig Dennis with one conversion by James Bowden for 0-12. When the sun returned Torrington warmed to the task and came back at North Tawton with more intent and it took some good clearance kicking from Gary Sizmur to clear the line and keep the home side in their own half.

A missed penalty just before half time by North Tawton kept the score 0-12 at the turn around.

In the second half it was North Tawton’s turn to play down the slope and they endeavoured to keep the ball, whether by kick or by hand in that bottom corner. It was not long before the away side had their reward with another try, with Si Cox adding to his growing tally for the season. A missed conversion kick  made it 0-17.

North Tawton were now in charge and playing some good passing rugby despite the best attempts of the Torrington forwards to get involved. James Bowden, who had not had the best of luck with the boots, made up for it with a good try of his own with Gary Sizmur adding the conversion for 0-24 .

North Tawton now had their bonus point safe but Torrington were playing for pride and with some strong tackling and power from their forwards, they crept up the hill ever closer to the North Tawton try line. With a few minutes left on the clock Torrington did finally get over the white wash for their only points of the afternoon; with the kick it made a final score of 7-24 in favour of North Tawton.

This was not an easy game for North Tawton and everyone played their part. Craig Dennis scored two tries, Si Cox and Gary Sizmur were in the thick of it and Jack Phare made some great tackles but man of the match was Nathen Abrams.