NORTH TAWTON 41

ILFRACOMBE 3

IN quite unpleasant conditions North Tawton invited Ilfracombe to their back pitch in the first of a two-leg match in the Devon Junior Cup.

With the pitch being much smaller it was likely to suit the travelling Combes notoriously large pack. However, the Tawts strung together a match winning performance to see their chances of progressing to the next round a probability.

The game started in the Combes favour as they secured possession from kick off and maintained a number of phases but without achieving points on the board.

It was Tawts who struck first with a fine try that would be impressive in sevens conditions as turnover ball in midfield from Steptoe saw A Dennis link well with Ayris who offloaded for L Dennis to finish a well-worked counter attack.

This was followed by the first of B Sharps’ brace as Rickerby broke free to beat numerous defenders and give the glory to the supporting Sharp.

Penalty goals were traded between sides before Quick bundled over between the sticks. A Dennis converted before L Dennis was sinbinned just before the half for dissent.

Half-time score 20-3.

The second half started with another yellow for the Tawts reducing them to 13 as it was Rickerby who was given an extended rest for reasons imitating the first.

This deficit of players did spark a second win into the Tawts as Baker came from nowhere to intercept a rare Combe ball to go in under the sticks unopposed.

With both sinbinees returning to the pitch the Mid-Devonians decided it was time to keep the ball tight and in doing so scored two further tries through the forwards; although both half-backs were eventual benefiters on the score sheet.

The first of which was scored through a penalty being kicked to the corner and the resulting lineout being mauled over the Whitewwash. A Dennis was the scorer.

The second and final play of the game was a moment for the front five who worked tirelessly scrimmaging all game due to the conditions.

A five metres scrum was marched over the line only for opportunist Sharp to flop on the ball stealing a try from his forwards efforts.

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 16, it’s back to league action as the Tawts travel to lowly New Cross in a game they cannot afford to slip up in.

MK