Devon two

WITH three minutes to go it looked as if it would be another close home win for North Tawton but rugby can change in the catch of the ball, in this case, by the Buckfastleigh number ten who made the most of a wayward pass from the home team to run nearly half the pitch and score under the post. The same player added the all important conversion to give Buckfastleigh the lead for the first time in the match at 13-12.

It came so late in the game that it gave North Tawton no time to right the mistake and from the restart the home forwards could not get clean ball and Buckfastleigh kicked the ball into touch to seal the win much to the delight of their travelling faithful and players alike.

There was a good size crowd boosted by the presence of quite a few local rugby players from various leagues with games off due to the constant rain gathered on the touch line of North Tawton’s back pitch.

To get their weekend rugby fixture played was much credit to the home side and the game was a good advertisement for Devon two league and rugby in general. |This top of the table clash both teams asked and gave no quarter, both trying to play running rugby with a mixture of the ball in hand and a few well placed kicks. The game was helped by a good referee who did his bit to keep the game moving.

The game started in pouring rain and it was North Tawton who make the first move, with Simon Quick going over for a try after some good pressure play by the home team; Jack Phare added the conversion  for a 7-0 lead.

With both teams looking good ball in hand more tries seemed the probable but it proved not to be the case. A penalty for Buckfastleigh put them on the scoreboard for 7-3.

Some fine forward play by Conner Mathis brought a second try but a missed kick to bring the score to 12-3 at half time.

Buckfastleigh had the wind in their favour in the second half although it was well in to the last 20 minute of the game before anybody troubled the scoreboard. This came with a penalty to Buckfastleigh to pull it back to 12-6.

Four minutes to go and Tawton broke out their own half but a loose pass changed the game, resulting in the try and North Tawton’s first loss of the season. It also meant they lost their top spot in the league to the visitors.

However, North Tawton are looking forward to reversing the defeat when they visit Buckfastleigh (the Ramblers) in a rearranged fixture. The real winner on the day was rugby.