DARTMOUTH 5 - NORTH TAWTON 33

IT was another trip to the southern reaches of the county and another well-constructed away win for North Tawton when the side took on Dartmouth.

The score suggests a comfortable win but it has to be said that Dartmouth made the Tawts fight for every point and for every metre.

I would think that Dartmouth won the territory battle 60/40 with a very determined attack, always willing to run at the Tawts, but the North Tawton defensive play gets better week-by-week.

The team hold the line, come up together when required and really do put it on the line.

There were some big tackles going in all match.

If you then add what Dartmouth struggled to deal with, that is the quick break, turning defence into attack, and you get the scores that North Tawton are getting this stage of the season.

It took nine minutes of the first half for the captain Craig Dennis to show the way to the Dartmouth try line with the first of his two tries of the afternoon. The trusty boot of James Bowden adding the conversion, 7-0 to the visitors.

Back came Dartmouth, pushing the Tawts well back in their own half, looking like the conceded try had really got them motivated they played with the ball in-hand but one mistake in the build up and the Tawts were down the other end in a flash.

A welcome try for Ryan Goss and the kick added by James Bowden made it 14-0 to North Tawton.

The Tawts lost scrum-half, Jack Phare, with a painful looking hand injury, his place taken by the other Jack aka Jack Davey and Tawton go looking for the next try.

It wasn’t long before it was almost a repeat performance, Dartmouth pushing hard but another mistake in their build-up and this time it was Dan Dennis who was over for the five points with the kick added and it was 21-0 and half time.

The second half started as the first finished, more attack from the home side, but the Tawts made them wary of the quick attacking backs, Craig Dennis proving their fears were well-founded with his second try of the match.

The kick was added by James Bowden and in truth the games was over as a contest, the score now 28-0.

Dartmouth haven’t given up and came at the Tawts hard and fast and seemed to be camped in the Tawton red zone, finally getting their reward with a push over try but with a missed kick making it 28-5.

More of the same followed, Dartmouth on the front foot, but the North Tawton side were looking more and more comfortable, almost letting the home side have the ball and wait for the chance to counter attack.

A run from well inside their own half saw several players involved. It was Si Quick over for his what seemed to be his weekly try, the kick missed this time and we get the final score of 33-5 to North Tawton.

It was nice to say that North Tawton seemed to have a strength in depth this season because even with a few key players missing, injuries, work commitments, etc, the shape of the way they want to play is retained and at the moment is working well.

Man of the match was Tom Chisholm and next it is away to Totnes in the cup.

Chris Phare