NORTH TAWTON 7 - TOPSHAM 5

THE low scoreline in this match, played on Saturday, December 21, does reflect the weather it was played in but not the commitment from both sides to play a full-on game for the whole 80 minutes.

With the game moved to the back pitch at Taw Meadow, a pitch that seems to cope with all that the elements can throw at it, the hardy few spent the whole match in pouring rain, the rain making the ball like a bar of soap and more handling mistakes than normal but this did not diminish the efforts of either team to get the win.

North Tawton going for four wins on the trot and Topsham looking to avenge the drubbing they got at home when Tawton visited.

With four late withdrawals from the starting line up because of illness the Tawts knew they were going to be in for a tough afternoon and so it proved.

Topsham were on the attack right from the first whistle pushing the rejigged home team well back in their own half, the wet conditions not helping to keep a tight defence line in place.

While the Tawts did manage the odd foray into the Topsham end it seemed at this stage that the visitors had the upper-hand but we have learnt this season the Tawts might take a bit of time to work oppositions out but they normally do.

As with the run of play at this stage of the match Topsham took the lead with a try in the far corner, they miss the kick, this being the first of two kicks that will prove costly but its 0-5 to the away side.

North Tawton from the restart are now more intent on getting on the front foot and getting their own attacking plays in place and slowly but surly they do, taking the game to Topsham spending more time in to the visitors 22 and its from one of these attacks that a delightful chip over the oncoming defenders by Jack Phare, the scrum-half, a superb catch by the hooker Matt Baker and he is in for the try. The conversion added by Gary Sizmur gives us the score of 7-5.

Half-time comes and goes with the players and supporters alike getting wetter by the minute Topsham get a penalty almost in front of the Tawton posts but this is the second missed kick the visitors will come to rue on the way home.

The clock now running down we get a spell of the Tawton forwards just trying to keep the ball “up the jumper” so to speak a succession of pick and goes working very well for the home team frustrating the Topsham side who so desperately wanted to get their hands on the ball and get up field from where the Tawton forwards had them pinned.

Not a minute too soon for most, the referee blows the final whistle and its another well deserved home win for North Tawton who continue to make their presence felt in this league.

Man of the Match was Matty Dennis who with this award wins the meal for two sponsored by the Beer Engine at Newton St Cyres.

Another meal for two up for grabs for the second half of the season.

Chris Phare