DEVONPORT HSOB 10 NORTH TAWTON 103

YES, you did read that right!

North Tawton gave a somewhat depleted and poor Devonport team a lesson in how to score tries, 15 of them in fact, and with James Bowden only missing one conversion, resulted in the 103 point haul for the away side.

The biggest worry for the Tawts was, before kick off, and that was whether the home team was going to have enough players to even start the game.

One or two of their players just seemed to roll up with minutes to spare. I don’t think the ref knew how many they had until he blew the whistle to start the mis match.

It took North Tawton 15 minutes to score four tries and secure the bonus point and from then on we just kept going.

There was a try each for Matty Dennis, Shaun Braime, Simon Quick, Bill Sharp and James Bowden and two each for Jabby Fewings and Craig Dennis, keeping the scoreboard more than ticking along.

However, it was the six tries from the sides new Mr Greedy, aka Matt Baker, that put him in prime position for leading try scorer of the season.

With the absence of captain James Miller through illness Matt was today’s captain and did a very good job of it in what could have been difficult circumstances.

He did win the “not passing the ball” competition as well, as voted by the non-paying public in attendance.

It is a shame that any side struggles to get 15 men on the field for what was a league fixture after all.

I am sure every player wants a competitive game on a Saturday while it has to be said that every player who took to the pitch never gave up and played in the spirit of the game.

It was, in truth, a run out for Tawton with the added risk of picking up a knock or two. Ask Jack who wouldn’t leave the big no 8 alone all match, brave or mad I am not sure.

Whilst I realise this is a match report and not an obituary I feel it would be remiss not to end this week’s effort without a mention to Helen Solomon.

The biggest gathering of NTRFC took place on Friday for Helen’s funeral.

There seemed to be as many not able to get in to the chapel as did manage to. That in itself is a testimony to her.

She wasn’t just a member of the club, she was and will always be part of its DNA. To watch my own son playing alongside her’s for her club is one of life’s greatest pleasures - long may it continue.

Chris Phare