NORTH Tawton travelled to the home of Exeter Engineers to play their last game of the season with a bit of a scratch side with only the barest of subs.

North Tawton took to the field with confidence buoyed from their latest results of wins home and away; tight run results they might have been but not as tight as this game proved to be.

The game got underway in the pouring rain, which did not ease up all game, and it was the very young looking Engineers side full of running that took the game to Tawton in the first exchanges, some quick passing and fast play down the wings giving the Tawton defence a lot to think about early doors.

Almost against the grain proving that they too could put together some attacking play of their own, North Tawton get the first points with a try from Jack Davey, the kick added by Liam Pyle and its 0-7 to the visitors.

We get back underway with a lot of pressure coming from the Engineers but the Tawts defence were dealing with the attacks.

North Tawton seemed to have settled in to the game, answering the fast younger home team with plenty of grunt up the middle, the Tawton scrum proving very dominant.

All that said, it was the Engineers who went over next with their first try, a missed kick, 5-7.

This was followed with another try, this time with the kick taking us to the break, the home side in front, 12-7.

Those of us in the pitch side shelter were not too worried as we know Tawton always up their game in the second half, well that’s the plan anyway.

We get back to the game, James Miller coming on to further boost the pack.

North Tawton struck first with a power play try from Luke Austin, the kick added and its 12-14, its still tight but you would have to say the Tawts looked in control.

The score stays the same for quite a while, both sides going at it full on, we get up into the Tawton half and Tawton give away a penalty, a missed kick and the Engineers miss the chance to take the lead.

What happens from the restart, with minutes to go for the final whistle, Tawton give the home side another chance to snatch the win in the shape of another penalty, this time they don’t miss and now lead by a point, 15-14.

We have the restart with the ref saying final play, North Tawton need to somehow force at least a penalty from the Engineers and they do just that.

This kick could win them the match but its a long way out but as if to help the Tawton kicker the home side dispute far too vocally and they get marched back twice giving Liam Pyle a better chance of a kick to win, still not easy but he slots it with a calmness and its 15-17.

North Tawton finish their season with a nail biting close win.

After a disappointing start to the season with one win and five losses in the opening six games, Tawton responded well, of the remaining 12 games, winning nine, drawing one and two losses.

Chris Phare