Devon two league

Devonport High School Old Boys 10

North Tawton 70

NORTH Tawton's loyal travelling fans were treated to a 12-try display of running rugby for this re-arranged league fixture.

They opened the scoring with a try from centre Luke Dennis following a 10 metre scrum from which the ball was spread wide to the right. The conversion hit the post. Shortly afterwards a break by fly half Jamie Stevens made ground and a pass back inside to centre Craig Dennis put him through under the posts. The conversion by Stevens made it 12-0 to North Tawton.

Devonport's pack was having the better of the exchanges in the set pieces, shoving Tawton back at the scrums. It was more even in the lineouts and a good steal by Tawton's second row Tom Dean set their number eight Simon Quick loose to run at the opposition. Support was on hand as Craig Dennis finished off the move with his second try; the conversion was missed. Devonport came back with good rucking and mauling close to Tawton's line. They were awarded a penalty which was duly converted by scrum half Nick Canterbury. North Tawton were not put out of their stride and before the break good support running by full back Will Lethbridge led to another try as he looped round the defenders to touch down out on the left. The conversion came off the posts to leave half time score at 22-3 to North Tawton.

With almost the first move of the second period Tawton extended their lead with a try from replacement right wing David Fewings, finishing off good build-up play by his forwards. The conversion was made by Stevens. DHSOB responded well and had their best phase of the match, starting with a try for Ricky Richards following a fumbled lineout ball on Tawton's throw in. Canterbury slotted the conversion to take the score to 29-10 in favour of North Tawton.

DHSOB kept up the pressure and nearly scored again as they followed up a 10-metre scrum by picking and driving to the try line. Tawton defended well and scrambled the ball clear but at the expense of a yellow card for offside. This turn around seemed to sap the morale of DHSOB as the final phase turned into a rout with Tawton running in the tries almost at will. There was a try for Will Lethbridge set up by Jamie Stevens and another one for Craig Dennis following some neat interpassing with Lethbridge. A try was scored by Jamie Stevens breaking out from his own five metre area to sprint the length of the pitch and outpace the defence. A second try came for David Fewings after captain Simon Quick broke through again and chipped the ball on for Fewings to collect and run round under the posts. Craig Dennis scored his fourth with a long range sprint down the left wing. With Stevens converting three of these tries the score was standing at 60-10.

North Tawton's prop Alfie May collected a restart kick and ran through a gap and sprinted to score a good individual try. A final try to Will Lethbridge, whose pace and running lines seem to mesmerise defenders, took the final score to 70-10.

This win consolidates North Tawton in third place in the league.