TIVERTON RFC II 25-17 NORTH TAWTON RFC

WHEN North Tawton arrived at Tiverton RFC, the wind that the recent storm had brought was still very much in evidence.

It was going to be a difficult game to manage for both sides. One minute it was in your face, the next minute it was on your back.

Both sides did their best to keep some control of the ball, and both succeeded to give the windswept hardy souls on the touch line plenty to shout about.

The first half in most part belonged to North Tawton, their scrum and lineout working well and proving to be stronger.

Tiverton II got the first try, but it was quickly answered by Tawton, who with tries by George Nye and Simon Quick, and the one conversion by Jack Phare, gave us a halftime score of 5-12.

As an away fan, you felt things were under control, and that we could do the same again in the second half and pick up an away win.

Unfortunately, the host team had other ideas, which soon became apparent with two quick tries backed up by a penalty, taking Tiverton II into a 20-12 lead.

Now it was for North Tawton to chase the lead, and they did chase it very well at times, spending long periods with the ball in hand, and there was some very good passing play, but that breakthrough wouldn't come for all sorts of reasons.

The play just broke down at the last. We then got another try by Tiverton II which in all but name took the game away from North Tawton.

At 25-12, it was looking not so good. A try right at the death took the score to 25-17.

It was no more than North Tawton deserved, but they in all honesty had in parts the better side.

The final try in the game was scored by Bill Sharp. Unfortunately, with the wind as it was, a conversion from the touch line was a big ask.

With the missed kick, the final score was 25-17. While I am sure Tiverton will celebrate the win, I can’t help feeling it was one that Tawton let slip away.

Chris Phare