NORTH TAWTON 40 - PLYMPTON VICTORIA 7

WITH Plympton Victoria not being able to field the full 15 players for this league fixture the important matter of the league points was done and dusted before a ball was kicked.

North Tawton was awarded all five points, which keeps them top of the league.

With a game in-hand overall, except Buckfastleigh who lie in second place, a European-style back-to-back fixture clash in the near future will surely have a big say in the overall outcome of the final positions re promotion etc.

As it was, not to disappoint the hardy few their weekly rugby fix that’s players and supporters alike, the Tawts lent PV RFC a couple of brave souls to make the numbers up.

Off we went for the friendly, but three yellow cards later I was not so sure how friendly it was.

Lesson for all was don’t swear at the ref, who I think most would agree might not have been one of the best we have seen at Taw Meadow.

The match was played on the back pitch due to the front pitch being deemed a bit soft underfoot and with an eye to forthcoming fixtures, as in the Devon Under 20 match, it was sensible to protect the surface.

The groundsman was very keen to keep on top of the grass situation, so to speak.

There were five tries in the first half, a brace for Luke Dennis and one each for Craig Dennis, Matty Dennis and Conner Mathis.

All were converted by the new star of the kicking tee, James Bowden. This gave the Tawts a 35-0 half-time lead.

The second half got underway with a switch that put Jabby Fewings at winger for PV RFC and Bill Sharp into the centre for the away select, bringing Billy Butler home on the wing for the Tawts.

Bill gave the PVs a lot more bite in attack and with Jabby having a good game for both sides it wasn’t all as the score board would suggest.

Saying that a good try by James Bowden took the score to 40-0, the only kick James missed all day was to convert his own try.

The best move of the day for the away side came from the enigmatic Tawts winger Jabby Fewings who, on making the most of loose play from his usual team mates, went under the post for the visitors only try and a good one it was.

The home fans are looking forward to seeing the re-play in a black and gold shirt.  The final score was 40-7.

All-in-all this was, at best, a good blowout to get rid of any Christmas cobwebs.

The Tawts will, no doubt, face a lot sterner tests in the following weeks in their quest to get back into Devon League One, but when they play like I know they can and are in the "mood", beware any opposition.

Chris Phare