Devon One North and

East League

Saturday, January 16

South Molton 0

North Tawton 0

AFTER a long layoff, due to Christmas and the weather, both teams were keen to see this fixture go ahead.

South Molton already had a backlog of five matches and did not want to see the figure rise further.

Extended consideration was given to the state of the pitch; referee and the assessors present conferred and rarely was so much discussed by so many about as that pitch in South Molton.

Elfin Safety was called in and it was decided to proceed, albeit about ten minutes late.

That did not seem to have helped to dry out the pitch and as both sides got into the match it looked like becoming a good old-fashioned slog in the mud.

As South Molton pressed home an attack on the Tawton line, several scrums were called and the front rows were having difficulty keeping their footing in the boggy conditions.

Finally, play opened up and the three-quarters on both sides got to use the drier parts of the pitch to better effect.

Once back in the wettest areas, though it was evident that play could not continue safely and the referee called the captains in.

The decision to abandon was made after about 18 minutes to general disappointment and those who were present at the Totnes Mudbath may have wondered what all the fuss was about.

Tomorrow (Saturday, January 23) North Tawton are at home to New Cross in a rearranged fixture originally due to have been played on January 2.

Graham King