NORTH TAWTON 12 - BUCKFASTLEIGH 13

WITH three minutes to go in the match, I was beginning to write the opening paragraph trying to relate another close home win for the Tawts, but as it is in rugby at times, things change in the catch of the ball.

In this case the match-winning catch was by the Buckfastleigh number 10, who made the very most of a wayward pass from the home team to run nearly half the pitch and score under the post.

The same player added the all-important conversion, which gave Buckfastleigh the lead for the first time in the match, making it 12-13.

So late in the game, this result gave North Tawton no time to correct the mistake, with barely a minute to go.

From the restart the home forwards could get no clean ball and Buckfastleigh got the ball into touch asap to seal the win, much to the delight of their travelling faithful and players alike.

A good sized crowd was boosted by the presence of quite a few local rugby stars from various leagues with games off due to the constant rain.

They were gathered on the touch line of Tawton’s back pitch to get their weekend rugby fix and I think without question they got to see a good advert for Devon Two League and rugby in general.

It was a top of the table clash, both teams asking and giving no quarter, both trying to play a running rugby mixture of the ball in-hand and a few well placed kicks when required.

All this was helped along by a good referee who did his bit to keep the game moving.

The game started in pouring rain and it was Tawton who made the first move score wise with Simon Quick going over for a try after some good pressure play by the home team.

Jack Phare added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

With both teams looking good, more tries seemed probable but it proved not to be the case, although you felt a high-scoring game was on the way.

A penalty for Buckfastleigh got them on the score board, 7-3.

Some fine going forward play was demonstrated by Conner Mathis who never took a backward step all match.

North Tawton’s second try, albeit with a missed kick, took the score to 12-3 at half-time.

There were mixed feelings on the touch line with Buckfastleigh supporters saying that they were not beaten yet.

The wind was in their favour during the second half, Tawton supporters hoping the Tawts, like other weeks, would get stronger as the match went on.

As it was it was well into the last 20 minutes of the game before anybody troubled the scoreboard and that was a very important penalty to Buckfastleigh, taking the score to 12-6 and more to the point getting within a winning try score.

At four minutes to go Tawton broke out of their own half with a ball in-hand attack and banged a loose pass.

It changed everybody’s day, the resulting try committing North Tawton to their first loss of the season and top spot in the league.

They now sit in second, one point behind Buckfastleigh.

Not all is lost for the Tawts as we soon play the Ramblers in a rearranged fixture and are more than capable of a win.

The real winner in this game was rugby. It doesn’t matter what level or league, a good game is just that, a good game.

Well done to all the players and congratulations to Buckfastleigh for the win.  Next North Tawton are away to Ilfracombe.  Hold on to yer hats if it’s still raining - bring one!

Chris Phare