NORTH TAWTON RFC 0-12 OKEHAMPTON II

ON a night fit only for the brave and foolish, and that's talking about the supporters, never mind the conditions the players on both sides faced as they tried to deliver a match that is always high on the list of must-win games, with local bragging rights at stake.

North Tawton knew that they were up against it, with the team from Okehampton yet to taste defeat this season, sitting top of the league.

We got underway, and right from the start it proved kicking would be difficult, so the need to keep the ball in hand was paramount.

With Okehampon doing exactly that, they got their first try with the kick added its 0-7 .

Tawton’s cause was not helped by their scrum-half getting a yellow for a high tackle. It looked like it was going to be a long night.

With the return of their 9 and some straight talking in the breaks of play, Tawton started to get it together and were soon giving as much as they got in terms of attack and defence.

We got to the break with the visitors’ try being the only points scored, the game very much in the balance.

Unfortunately for the home side, it was Okehampton who scored next adding to their first try with a second. With the kick missed, it’s 0-12.

Not to get downhearted, North Tawton went about the task they needed to get their first points on the board and it was only the well drilled Okehampton defence that kept them from scoring, the visitors playing with a confidence that you get from being unbeaten, but at this stage of the match both teams giving as good as they got, albeit the visitors having the comfort of a 12-0 lead.

We get to the final whistle with no further points added.

While full credit must go to Okehampton for another away win you have to say that the North Tawton players gave it their all and maybe didn’t deserve to be nilled, at times they had the league leaders on the back foot.

Chris Phare