Devon one
North Tawton 19
New Cross 0
BEFORE the game a minute’s silence was observed for a stalwart at the very heart of North Tawton Rugby Club, Peter Hoggins, who sadly died last week.
For North Tawton first team it was a different week, a different game, and a better all round performance which brought a welcome league win for the side.
All credit to New Cross, who did not come up just to make the numbers up; they had a much stronger pack which gave Tawton a really hard time in the scrum. In the first 40 minutes North Tawton struggled to get any clean ball to work; with both sides defending well the half time score was 0-0.
However, in the second half North Tawton came flying out of the blocks and really took the game to New Cross. It only took them a few minutes to score a well worked try with Matt Dennis going over the whitewash and Alex Dennis adding the conversion for 7-0.
Tawton now had their heads up and another Dennis try took the score to 12-0.
A change of personnel for New Cross in the front row did not seem to do them any favours and the Tawton pack started to get some success, making life a little easier for the scrum half to get the ball away to feed the willing backs; a good ball enabled them to run on to the pass; this causing a tiring New Cross team more problems. Will Lethbridge was fed a quick ball and ran into space for a try under the posts; the extras were added by Alex Dennis for 19-0.
The game had gone away from New Cross but they kept on until the final whistle. This was an honest display from Tawton in a game between two well matched teams and played in good spirits. The ‘no nonsense’ ref added to the games enjoyment. Man of the match was North Tawton’s Ryan Goss.
n Times Sport add their condolences to Peter Hoggins’ family and to the club. Peter’s pictures of North Tawton rugby were often featured on these pages.
Chris Phare, on behalf of North Tawton Rugby Club, said: ‘Peter’s pictures of North Tawton rugby were out of the top drawer and captured the very essence of the game.’