Devon two

North Tawton 22

Old Plymouth Mannameadians 6

IT was a day for firsts at Taw Meadow on Saturday — the first league match of the season, the first North Tawton  win of the season.

All the matches this year have been cup matches and have involved teams from higher divisions this was the chance to see how the new look Tawton side would fare against equal opposition.

As soon as the whistle went North Tawton chased their own kick off into the OPM’s 22 but it was not long however that the home side found themselves defending. A clearance kick by Dave Fewings relieving the pressure allowing Tawton to regroup and get organised but the heavier away side, even with their number seven in the sin bin, could sense a try. Tawton defended their line with passion and although the first try of the match went the way for 0-7 to OPM, the Tawton players started to believe in the cause. 

North Tawton hit back quickly with a good try well worked though the hands ending up with Conner Mathis going over; the kick by Dave Fewings  made it 7-7. A second try for North Tawton and the best of the match came from a great effort from Bill Sharp, who gave the home team a 12-7 half time lead.

The second half started and the OPM soon levelled the scores at 12-12 even with Tango in the sin bin for a high tackle. North Tawton cut down on giving away penalties and started to look the better side. This bore out with Tawton’s third try, a fine try and a first for the club by winger Archie Taylor; the kick added by Dave Fewings took the score to 19-12.

OPM were not quite finished and with Matt Baker replacing Tango in the bin, Tawton still only had 14 on the field so a penalty kick for the extra three points was very welcome.

This was a deserved win for North Tawton  The man of the match was Simon Quick, with some fantastic breaks from all over the pitch.