CULLOMPTON 35 - NORTH TAWTON 24

AFTER a good home win last week, North Tawton travelled up to Cullompton knowing that this was not going to be an easy away game.

The Cullompton side, while not being on the big side player-wise, had very quick backs who combined with some good ball-carrying skills, which meant the North Tawton defence would have a busy afternoon.

From the kick-off, this proved to be the case and having spent the first 15 minutes or so in the North Tawton half of the pitch the home side showed their mettle with two tries involving their fast no 10 and the full back who showed their liking to run at the Tawts.

In no time at all it was 14-0 down and Tawton were looking a bit second-hand; it was shaping up to be a long afternoon.

In true North Tawton style, with a bit of reorganising, the Tawts start to get themselves into the game and a good try from Luke Jenkins gives the away side their first points of the match and steady’s the ship, missed kick, its 14-5.

As if to re-assert their authority on the match Cullompton hit back with two more tries to make it 28-5, but they had to work a lot harder for these tries as the North Tawton team had started to play the game their way, putting some good attacking moves together.

It was wearing the home side down, there was not quite the snap in some of the runs, some heavy Tawton tackling was taking its toll.

Just before half time Jamie Neilsen gets the second Tawton try of the match, its 28-10.

It took us to the break with a flicker of hope for the away team to get something out of what was a very hard opening period.

The game resumes and its not long before Cullompton add another try to their tally giving us a 35-10 score.

North Tawton were now almost playing for their pride and this they did this in the only way they know, heads up and get on the front foot, taking the game to what was a good, but tiring Cullompton side.

A try from man of the match, George Nye, kick added starts the fight back, its 35-17.

With the victory gone the try bonus point becomes the target, Tawton needed another try, and with the game in its last period, Archie Muxworthy got the ball down for the bonus point, try kick added gives us the final score of 35-24.

A hard game for North Tawton, but they can hold their heads up in the fact they turned a poor start into a good fight back and in some eyes finished the stronger team.

Chris Phare