NORTH TAWTON 22 - OLD PLYMOTHIANS AND MANNAMEDIANS 12

IT was a day for firsts at Taw Meadow on Saturday, October 28, the first league match of the season, the first North Tawton win of the season and the first outing of the new shirts for the season provided by ARLA who are good supporters of the club with their factory just up the road.

All the matches this year have been cup matches and have involved teams from higher divisions.

This was the chance to see how the new-look ‘Tawts would fare against equal opposition, so to speak.

The teams line up for the start was very quiet from the Tawton players, not the normal robust banter, but as soon as the whistle went the ‘Tawts chased their own kick off into the OPM 22 and game on.

It wasn’t long, however, until the home side found themselves defending big time, a clearance kick by Dave Fewings relieving the pressure allowing the ‘Tawts to regroup and get organised.

The heavier away side, even with their number Seven in the sin bin could sense a try, the ‘Tawts defending their line with passion.

Although the the first try of the match went the way of the OPM you could see and hear the Tawton players starting to believe in the cause - it was seven-nil down but watch this space.

North Tawton hit back quickly with a good try, well worked though the hands ending up with Conner Mathis going over and with the kick by Dave Fewings the score was seven-seven.

I think it would be fair at this point to say that the home team were having a torrid time in trying to understand the way the ref wanted the match to be played and penalty after penalty made life a lot easier for the OPM to keep things in check.

A second try for the ‘Tawts was the best of the match. It was a great effort from Bill Sharp who gave the home team a 12 - 7 half-time lead and eased the pressure a tad.

Shortly after the second half started, the OPM levelled the scores at 12-12 and with Tango in the sin bin for a high tackle the ‘Tawts were having a wobble.

However, they were learning to stay on the right side of the ref and with the cut down of penalties were starting to look the better side, this borne out with the ‘Tawts third try, a fine try and I think his first for the club by winger Archie Taylor.

The kick was added by Dave Fewings to make it 19-12.

OPM were not quite finished and with Matt Baker replacing Tango in the bin, the ‘Tawts still only had 14 on the field.

A penalty kick for the extra three points was very welcome, meaning the away side needed two scores to win.

They don’t result so it was a well-deserved win for North Tawton.

The man of the match was Simon Quick some fantastic breaks from all over the pitch giving the ‘Tawts a great platform to attack from next week away to Plymouth Victoria.

Chris Phare