Devon two

North Tawton 20

Buckfastleigh Ramblers 6

THIS first home fixture for several weeks drew a good number of supporters and resulted in a satisfying win for North Tawton.

Tawton were slow to settle, conceding a penalty in the early stages following good Buckfastleigh pressure. Steve Chapple slotted the first three points for Ramblers.

The home side responded and took the game back to the visitors; good forward driving gained a home side penalty in front of the posts, converted by fly half Jamie Stevens to level the scores.

A strong Buckfastleigh pack was weakened when their prop had to leave the pitch with a leg injury, allowing the home pack to compete more strongly in the set plays. A good jinking run by Tawton centre Cameron Rickerby took Tawton into the Ramblers' 22 metre area, but the attack petered out. Another injury to a Ramblers player meant they had to play on with only 14 players but they held out well until half time during which time another exchange of penalty goals moved the score on to 6-6 at the break.

A good spell of play early in the second period saw Tawton full back Will Lethbridge put away down the left wing but play was called back for a forward pass. Continued pressure by Tawton gave second row players Andy Pyle and then Ian Perrott chances to break through the defence but both were held up.

A good change of direction by North Tawton fly half Stevens off the back of a maul led to a good try for Lethbridge, crashing through the Buckfastleigh defence. Stevens converted giving a 13-6 lead for the home side.

A great break out of defence by Bill Sharp on the left wing outpaced the Buckfast cover but his chip over the top did not bounce kindly and the chance of a try was lost. Tawton built up the pressure and the forwards earned themselves a penalty try as they had Buckfastleigh caught offside as they backpedalled on their own try line. Stevens converted to make it 20-6 to the home side.

When Ramblers lost another player to injury they were down to 13 men and the game went to uncontested scrums. Despite this disadvantage the Ramblers kept to their task and Tawton did not help their cause by giving away a series of silly penalties to let the opposition keep a foothold in the game.