NORTH TAWTON 26 - TAVISTOCK 0

NORTH Tawton got their league programme off to the best start possible with a comprehensive win over Tavistock which included a valuable bonus point at the same time as keeping the away side off the scoreboard completely, a rare feat for any side these days.

The afternoon got off to the best possible start with a very welcome visit from the side line captain Craig Dennis whose presence itself gave the home team great motivation to start the season with a win in this new higher league.

As the teams ran out on the pitch more than one remarked on how much bigger player size-wise the away side looked. North Tawton do look a few pounds lighter than most opposition but as it proved size counts for nothing when the Tawts play like they did today.

The home team started the match as they meant to go on, full throttle attack mode from the referees whistle the first 10 minutes spent inside the Tavistock 22 line with the away team defending some really penetrating runs from a tails up Tawts side, as good as the attacking play was the Tavistock defence held firm and was ironic that it was a good clearance kick from Tavy to clear their lines that led to North Tawton’s first try, a brilliant end-to-end run, fast passing between the backs that got Kev Dennis over for the well deserved first points of the afternoon, a missed kick and the score 5-0.

This try seemed to settle the home side into a period of play that looked like they were comfortable with what and how they were doing things.

Some new phases of play looked really sharp and it wasn’t long before this led to a second try, a result of another strong run by Jordan Cornthwaite who seems to be making a habit of such runs and he goes over for the try kick, added by Gary Sizmur, so it’s now 12-0.

A scare for the Tawts just before half-time, a result of an intercepted pass and the Tavy backs were on their way for a try of their own albeit for an even faster Matty Dennis try saving tackle of the match, so we go into half-time 12-0.

Second half and maybe Tavistock are getting a bit more of the ball and know they have to score next to stay in the game but North Tawton hold firm and show they can defend as well as attack.

Tavistock just can’t get over the line but North Tawton can and do again, a phase of quick passing ends with another Kev Dennis try almost danced through the defenders to dot down, the kick added by on field captain Gary Sizmur making it 19-0.

Credit has to be given to the side from Tavistock, they never gave up the match which was, by now, well gone from them, but they kept trying to come forward.

In truth Tawton were in control and hunting for the very valuable bonus point which they dually got with a well deserved try from Luke Mingo, a try that seemed to involve every North Tawton player on the pitch, the kick added to make the final score 26-0.

All-in-all a good afternoon’s work for the newly promoted North Tawon team.

It was a fast paced game that suited both sides. Respect to Tavistock. I am sure the Tawts will face tougher opposition as the season unfolds but if they can produce games like this they should fear nobody, plus as a supporter it is so good to watch.

Man of the Match was Matty Dennis, solid in defence, lethal in attack all match.

Match ball sponsor was ex player Robert Campbell.

Next up it is away to Topsham.

Chris Phare