Devon one

Wessex 20

North Tawton 12

WALKING away from Flower Pot lane rugby pitch the home of the 2016 Devon one league champions, the players who pulled on the North Tawton shirt today, could take pride in their efforts.

They deserved at least a bonus point, while they might have come up short by one point for the much needed bonus, every player did North Tawton  RFC proud.

For long periods the casual observer would not be able tell the difference between the league champions elect and a side fighting for league survival.

Things started well for Tawton, an early lead from a penalty from the boot of Dave Fewings opening the scoring 0-3 gave the travelling faithful some real hope.

The optimism was short lived as Wessex turned up the power drive game and with three tries and a conversion in quick succession had built what looked a solid looking lead at 17-3.

Tawton were in danger of being overwhelmed but once again this season the character of the visitors shone through and with the aid of Fewings’ trusty boot slowly but surely started to pin the score back with three more penalties bringing the score to 17-12.

It was at this stage that the Tawton side stuck into the league leaders, finding gaps in what was becoming a shaky defence, with the amber and black stepping up to the plate. There were some hard tackles going in; Matty Dennis tackled anybody in front of him with a green shirt; the Tawton two props made ground around the park and clever kicking from scrum half Jack Phare turned the Wessex team around when they started to make inroads into the Tawton 22.

North Tawton captain Quick and the rest of the pack pushed a much heavier pack back time after time but a late penalty kick for the home side gives them another three points and takes them eight points clear. Try as they might with the clock ticking down the visitors could not  add to the 12 points for the bonus point.

The team put in a great performance — a special mention to Richard Gould, who put in a full shift for the good of the cause.