Tribute Devon two

North Tawton 3

Plymouth Argaum 8

WHAT a difference a week makes as North Tawton rugby team found out in this home fixture against league leaders Plymouth Argaum.

Argaum fielded a big pack but this potential advantage was nullified by the determination and technique of the North Tawton scrum who held their own and on occasions out-scrummaged their opponents.

It was Argaum who scored first as the ball was moved left, and winger Jake Turfrey outflanked the defence to go over in the corner; the conversion was missed. Shortly afterwards they nearly had a second were it not for a foot in touch during the run-in. North Tawton lost scrum half Jack Phare with a knee injury, his position being taken by their captain Bill Sharp.

Tawton played themselves back into the match following a good scrum drive setting Argaum back on their heels; credit to the whole pack but particularly the front row of Alfie May, Marc Kerswill and Dan Carey. A break out by centre Luke Dennis gained good territory and Argaum conceded a penalty on the 22 metre line. Jamie Stevens converted the points with a well judged kick in the testing wind conditions.

Argaum responded immediately and were awarded a penalty of their own, converted by centre Paul Ansell. They also made a good break through their scrum half but fortunately for Tawton the ball was passed into space and the move foundered. The half ended with the score at 8-3 to Plymouth Argaum.

Early in the second half Tawton had the chance of more points with a penalty kick but it drifted wide in the wind.

The match continued to be closely contested by both sides, the forwards engaging in vigorous rucking and mauling. When Argaum were awarded a penalty in Tawton's half they chose to kick for the lineout from which they launched a sustained assault on the home side's try line. Tawton gave no quarter and their disciplined defence held out without conceding a penalty which is so often the outcome of try line tussles. The ball was eventually cleared by a kick from Sharp.

A determined run at the Tawton line was stopped by a crunching tackle by flanker Mike Young, one of several he put in during the match. He and his colleagues in the back row, Simon Quick and Rob McBain, contributed much as the two sides battled for supremacy. They effectively cancelled each other out and there was no further score. The win consolidates Argaum's league lead and they will be promoted next season; North Tawton remain in third place.