Tribute Devon two

Tamar Saracens 36

North Tawton 0

NORTH Tawton fielded a changed team for this league match against Tamar Saracens, one place above them in the league.

From the kick off Saracens took the offensive and soon had the ball over Tawton's line but were held up. They kept up the pressure and off the back of a five metre scrum number eight Chris Cox powered his way over the try line; the conversion was missed.

North Tawton rallied and could have opened their scoring account with a penalty attempt from distance but the kick dropped short. It was Saracens who scored next with a push over try stemming from a line out close in, the grounding of the ball credited to number eight Cox. The conversion this time was good by fly half Scotty Shelton, taking his side to a 12-0 lead.

A long touch find by Tawton's Jamie Stevens took them into Saracen's 22 metre area but they were unable to capitalise on the territory gained.

For a time the match deteriorated into an aggressive encounter but when things settled down Saracens struck with another try following a break by full back Joe Wyatt whose well-timed pass to centre Eddie McGinley put him away down the right wing. The conversion was missed to make it 17-0 to Saracens at the break.

The second half started with a series of scrums to both sides with Saracens having the better of it in most cases. Tawton stuck to the task well and put up a determined defence.

Good penalty clearances by Jamie Stevens kept his side in the game as Saracens were pinged repeatedly, but Tawton's lineout was failing to secure the ball and they found themselves on the back foot.

With plenty of possession Saracens' three quarters made the most of it with two tries to their right wing, both converted by Shelton. A final try to centre McGinley, which was not converted, gave a final score of 36-0 to the home side.

It was a credit to North Tawton that they kept at the task throughout, notably the front row where experienced prop Pete Wonnacott was joined by Dan Dennis and Mike Young, and later Simon Quick, who all stepped up to the plate when the team needed it.

North Tawton are home to Buckfastleigh in the league on January 25.