Devon Junior Cup final

North Tawton 17

Totnes 20

TAW Meadow was the venue for this highly entertaining cup final of the Devon junior cup. More than 300 people were welcomed to the ground in a game consisting of two teams who have collectively waited 120 years to bring the historic cup back to their club.

It was the visitors, however, who claimed bragging rights as they overturned a nine point deficit in emphatic fashion to steal the win.

The game started at an expected high tempo when the ever reliable Jordan Cornthwaite was released down the right flank to score after minutes for Tawton. Alex Dennis missed the conversion in blustery conditions. From the resultant kick off an injury to season stalwart Jake Ayris saw him leave the field in disappointing fashion.

Totnes showed their intent by striking back almost immediately, when a series of pick and goes led to an eventual rolling maul crossing the whitewash in the corner. Tawton were dominant in the set piece and were on the positive side of the penalty count but did find themselves unable to string together a number of consecutive phases, with Totnes winning the breakdowns. Despite this, however, a Totnes attack was shut down as Simon Quick found himself in possession and able to release Cornthwaite on the reverse flank for his second score.

Totnes saw a man into the bin for a string of infringements but came out on top as they had two shots at goal, one missing, one converting. Halftime 10-8 to North Tawton.

The second half was at times a scrappy affair but tense to say the least. Tawton with the wind behind them extended their lead when Will Letherbridge finished off a well worked move to score under the sticks, this time Dennis converting. It was at this moment that either North Tawton took their foot off the gas or Totnes went up a gear as traffic became one way and a series of probing carries saw Totnes reduce the deficit to four points.

North Tawton did hold some resistance but found themselves defending for large periods of the half. Dan Dennis and Jack Phare were particularly notable in spoiling the Totnes' cohesion.

It was five minutes from time when the game was stolen from Tawton's grasp. A five metre scrum saw North Tawton looking comfortable only for the ball to be spun wide by Totnes, gaining 70m and forcing Bill Sharp into a try saving tackle.

It was not enough, however, when moments later penalty advantage was given for an infringement at a maul and the lively Totnes number nine found himself space to dart round an unprotected ruck for the match winning score.

n This week North Tawton are away to Dartmouth for the final league game of the season that could see them win the Devon two crown.