NORTH TAWTON 66

TAVISTOCK SECONDS 0

THIS friendly fixture was put in place to shake off the cobwebs and run off the festive pudding before both sides are due to be back in league action this weekend.

With both sides having the elements to battle against on the smallest of the Taw Meadow pitches, the game was sure to bring much physicality.

It was the Mid Devon outfit that dominated proceedings as their continued demonstration of quick-paced rugby was on show despite the battling conditions.

The first half was very much one for the Tawts as the half started with Jack Phare maintaining his fine form and finishing the games first try after two minutes on the clock.

The second score followed shortly as the Tawts forwards manoeuvred a driving maul infield for Tom Davis to finish off.

Further tries came from first half braces for Ben Sharp and Simon Quick and Carey for a single - bundling over from close quarters.

Perhaps the score of the half was from 18-years-old debutant Connor Stevens who broke free down the right wing to finish off a well-taken backs move from 40 metres out.

Half-time score: 42-0 to the Tawts.

The second half saw an inspired team talk from Martyn Credicott bring his young Tavistock team back to life as they enjoyed much improved possession and territory throughout.

It was at scrum-time that a stalemate was found between teams as unusually not a single scrum was taken against the head all game – this effort saw both sides front rows work tirelessly around the park with Hair and Welsh prominent in the loose for the Moorlanders.

Matt Dennis secured early second half points for the hosts, with Jake Ayris surprisingly adding the extras.

It was at this point that Tavistock perched themselves on the Tawton line as a fine chip through from Milligan Jr was unluckily held up on the line despite much debate.

Tavistock could not unfortunately cross the Tawts whitewash which pleased the hosts more so than the score-line due to some barracking runs from Tavi's Clark and Tharme look more than threatening.

Late tries for the Tawts came from the returning North, Matt Baker and Simon Quick who completed his hat-trick after feeding and releasing an Ex-Tavonian the ball in mid-field only to receive it back infield off Cornthwaite for a complete five pointer.

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 10, North Tawton welcome Devonport High School Old Boys (DHSOB) to Taw Meadow and Tavistock Seconds welcome Exmouth to Sandy Park, in two very winnable games for both sides.

MK