Tribute Devon two

Buckfastleigh Ramblers 3

North Tawton 15

NORTH Tawton's visit to Buckfastleigh produced a fiercely competitive match after the realisation dawned in the home team that they were facing a defeat on home soil.

Buckfastleigh started confidently but North Tawton responded well and took advantage of a series of penalty decisions in their favour to put pressure on the home side, gaining the lead with a Jamie Stevens penalty.

By the half hour mark Tawton's pack had established their dominance in the set scrums with an impressive display by the front row of Dan Quinn, Mark Kerswell and Tom Phillips. By the end of the half, Phillips had worn out his opposite number who was substituted.

Behind the scrum both sides were trying to play an expansive game but neither could penetrate the defences and tries looked very unlikely. The scoring was left to fly half Stevens who slotted two more penalties to one for Buckfastleigh to give a half time score of 9-3.

The second half saw Buckfastleigh keen to make an impression but, as in the first half, Tawton gave no quarter and withstood a prolonged period of pressure close to their try line. Will Lethbridge had a good game at full back, secure under the high ball and always looking to run the ball back at the opposition. Once again it was the pack who held sway and were able to dictate the game, several times marching Buckfastleigh back at the set scrum and heeling against the head, a rare thing nowadays

Ultimately it was the boot of Jamie Stevens which decided events as he converted two more penalties in the second half to give the final score of 15-3 to Tawton. This leaves them equal third in the league with Buckfastleigh on 13 points, with two the leaders also tied on 14 points.