Tribute Devon two

New Cross 32

North Tawton 3

NORTH Tawton had a slightly changed side for this fixture against league leaders New Cross at the Strap Lane ground in Kingsteignton, with Andy Pyle into the second row, Graham Sage on the wing and Jody Rofe at scrum half.

Early in the match a long kick from New Cross was taken by North Tawton but the player got isolated and a penalty was awarded for holding on. A relatively easy penalty kick was converted by the New Cross full back to give them a 3-0 lead.

Despite some good tackling by North Tawton they were pushed back into their own 10 metre area where New Cross were awarded a lineout. A good take from the throw in and a drive for the line broke the Tawton defence and a try was scored. The conversion was missed, but New Cross had edged into a 8-0 lead.

North Tawton rallied well and started to exert pressure in the set scrums, pushing New Cross off their own ball. The threes were also getting the chance to run at the New Cross line. A good kick from scrum half Rofe and follow up by Sage resulted in a penalty for Tawton 10 metres from the line.

The attempted passing move went wrong and a long clearance by New Cross took play back down the field. They were awarded another line-out which was taken quickly and the Tawton defence was again caught napping leading to a try for New Cross; the conversion hit the post.

Continued pressure by New Cross gave them a scrum about 10 metres from the Tawton line and a good passing move by their three quarters outflanked the Tawton defence for a third try. Again the conversion was missed giving a half-time score of 18-0 to the home team.

North Tawton were not able to make much of the line-outs, where New Cross had the height advantage and the lack of possession was piling the pressure on the visitors. Despite some resolute defence and a crunching cover tackle by Tawton's Alfie May, New Cross set up a good maul and their prop broke through for another try. This time the conversion was good and the score moved on to 25-0.

Finally North Tawton got onto the score-board with a good penalty kick from fly half Rob North from fully 30 metres.

A spirited fight back by Tawton saw their scrum again pushing New Cross back, forcing them to wheel the scrum.

The back row was everywhere, with Mike Young, Rob McBain and Clint Brown tackling like demons and rattling the New Cross defence.

In the final stages New Cross mounted another cross-field attack ending up with a line-out to Tawton about 10 metres from their line. Once again it was New Cross who took the line and bundled over for a final try which was converted to give a final score of 32-3 to New Cross.

The result means that North Tawton drop to third in the league with only one match to go, against Devonport High School Old Boys on April 18.