Devon one

North Tawton 3

Plymstock Albion Oaks 17

WITHIN minutes of the kick off North Tawton gained a penalty decision against Plymstock Albion Oaks inside the 22 metre area but the kick drifted wide.

Oaks staged a counter attack and when they were awarded a penalty they opted for the touch kick and the lineout, confident their bigger pack could turn their advantage into a try. North Tawton defended well and denied them a score.

North Tawton worked their way back up the pitch and another penalty against Oaks inside the 22 gave Rob North the first points with a good strike.

The cold and slippery conditions were having their effect but Tawton's lighter pack was holding but the Oaks kick drifted wide. They sustained the pressure and had a try disallowed for a forward pass but when they were awarded another penalty about 10 metres out their number eight Rhys Currell took the pass from a tap penalty and forced his way over the line. Tom West converted to give Oaks a 7-3 lead at the break.

A good mauling drive by Tawton early in the second half saw them make ground and then a poor lineout by Oaks gave Tawton a scrum well into opposition territory. Unfortunately they were unable to capitalise on this and the ball was scrambled away. Handling on both sides was suffering from the cold conditions.

The next score came again from a tap penalty for Oaks just outside Tawton's 22 metre line and once again it was the hard-charging Currell who went over for Oaks; this went unconverted for a 12-3 lead.

Oaks were using the strong wind at their backs better than Tawton.

An injury to Tawton's Rob North brought on coach/player Danny North as substitute and Ross Lawrence moved from full back to take the fly half role. Oaks were awarded another penalty close to Tawton's line and chose to pass the ball across the park, stretching the defence. A score looked likely but centre Mike Young put in a crucial tackle almost on the try line to break up the move. Oaks maintained the pressure and despite good defensive work by Tawton they finally found space down the right wing for their winger Paul Ansell to squeeze through to touch down and make it 17-3 to Oaks.