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Topsham 13

North Tawton 7

AFTER an extended lay-off over the Christmas period North Tawton started the new year with an improved performance against third-placed Topsham.

A good opening spell by Tawton was countered by the home side who put them under pressure close to the line and called for a determined display of defensive play to prevent a score.

North Tawton responded with an impressive sequence of picking and driving. After several phases they had Topsham defending on their own five metre line but then lost a scrum and Topsham cleared the ball.

The visitors came close to a try as fly half Rob North chipped through and great following up by centre Tom Chisholm caught the defence flat footed. Unfortunately his hack on sent the ball too far and the touchdown was over the dead ball line.

Tawton contained the Topsham attacks until the 25th minute when the home side collected a clearance kick and ran the ball back at the visitors. Flanker Sam Warren found a gap and broke through the final tackle to score the first try of the game; this was not converted.

As Topsham maintained their narrow advantage of possession and territory North Tawton defended well and finally the ball was worked out to the left wing where Mike Young sprinted the full length of the pitch, outdistancing the defence and going over for an excellent individual try. Rob North duly converted to put Tawton into a 7-5 lead.

Topsham's number eight went over for a try off the back of a scrum on the five metre line, but was held up on the line by Tawton scrum half Bill Sharp so Tawton held their lead at the break.

As the second half got under way the North Tawton scrum was holding its own in the set pieces making it difficult for Topsham to get their three-quarters into the game. Outstanding play in the loose by Tawton's Chisholm cleared up a tricky moment for their defence and he was on hand again to tackle back and prevent a possible score.

A penalty for Topsham took them to a lineout close to Tawton's line and a well-worked move put their hooker through down the tramlines for a try; the conversion was missed, leaving Topsham with a narrow 10-7 lead.

North Tawton came back well and some superb following up by flanker Rob McBain pressurised the Topsham defence into an error giving Tawton a penalty. The kick was opted for but went across the face of the posts.

In the closing stages it was Topsham on the attack and again Tawton called on their defensive prowess to keep them out. In the process Tawton had a player yellow-carded for handling in the ruck and Topsham's fly half Phil Irish slotted the ensuing penalty kick to take them into a 13-7 lead.

In the last moments Topsham were also reduced to 14 men for repeatedly going over the top after the tackle, and the match ended with Tawton holding on to a losing bonus point after a match where the whole team showed great spirit and endeavour.