NORTH TAWTON A 19

BIDEFORD THIRDS

FIFTEEN 24

ON the first cold day of the winter North Tawton’s second team took on a Bideford side in a Friendly, determined to avenge an earlier defeat on home soil by Tawton’s A team.

Early pressure by Tawton took them to a scrum five metres from the Bideford try-line. A ball was fed to fly-half John Stone who burst through the defence to score the first try.

The conversion was missed but Tawton were five points up in the first five minutes.

Good tactical kicking by full-back and captain, Jamie Stevens, kept North Tawton on the front foot, gaining useful territory.

From a lineout deep in Bideford’s half the ball was once again passed to Stone who ran in a carbon copy try, outpacing the defence; the conversion by Stevens took North Tawton to 12 points at about 25 minutes into the match.

It was on the stroke of half-time that Bideford came back with a try by Mike Bissett, converted by Joe Hemus, setting the visitors up for the second half.

Within two minutes of the re-start Bideford took the lead with a well-worked try by centre Luke Hasted. Hemus converted again taking the score to 12-14 in favour of Bideford.

North Tawton responded well and soon centre Bradley Hudson ran onto a pass and broke through for a try.

Tom Davis stepped up to take the conversion, having changed position from flanker to centre, and took the score to 19-14 to Tawton.

Bideford were far from out of the game and put the Tawton line under considerable pressure.

Despite resolute defence almost inevitably Tawton conceded a penalty and the kick by Hemus from 22 metres was good, narrowing the lead to two points.

Tawton once again took up the challenge and a good phase of play followed with strong running in the centres by Tom Davis and Graham Sage almost leading to a try for Stevens.

It was Bideford who had the last word however with a try coming from an arcing run by Hasted, rounding Tawton’s flagging defensive line, and giving Hemus the chance to convert and take the final score to 19-24 in favour of Bideford.

This was a thoroughly entertaining match played in good spirit by both sides.

For North Tawton there were many outstanding performances, with Rob McBain and Dave Gibbs singled out in the post match awards, but for his all-round effort including that conversion, Man of the Match should go to Tom Davis.

Graham King