Friendly

Crediton seconds 36

North Tawton 22

NORTH Tawton travelled the short distance up the county to undertake the return friendly fixture with Crediton seconds — this time without their World Cup winner Mike Tindall.

With the first loss to their names the week previous, North Tawton used the opportunity to field a number of positional changes within the squad.

The game started in an electric fashion for the hosts who took no more than two minutes to get on board as space was found out wide for their winger to bundle over in the corner. North Tawton struggled to maintain phases of possession but did convert a line break from Jordan Cornthwaite into a score as he fed Will Lethebridge for a well taken five pointer to level the scores.

North Tawton might rue missed opportunities as they simply had to maintain their season's long sturdy defence and allow the much larger Crediton pack to tire before releasing the ball out wide. This was not to be, however, as Crediton scored a further three first half tries keeping the ball tight to bring the half time score to 24-5.

The second half started as the first ended as Crediton added another try and things were worryingly looking like they could become a cricket score with North Tawton batting first.

An introduction of returning Cameron Rickerby to his familiar standoff position and Simon Quick, Hammy Kerswill and Andrew Fishleigh off the bench, brought life into the West Devon side as a strong come back was kick started. Ben Sharp welcomed a brace to his name and Quick was soon on the score sheet shortly after ex-Tawton Paul Turner was sent to the bin for a cynical professional foul five metres out. It was much too little too late, however, as Crediton held on as worthy winners.