TORQUAY 35 - NORTH TAWTON 21

IT was a trip to the seaside last week for another tough battle for North Tawton RFC against a Torquay side that don’t like losing at home and looked the part even in the warm up.

A few changes in the North Tawton side after the previous week’s loss, a few players still missing through injury, but North Tawton took to the field well up for the challenge in front of them.

That said, it was not a good start, as was the previous week, the Tawts conceded a try almost in the opening salvo and they were 5-0 down three minutes into the game.

A penalty taken by Jack Phare back in the no 9 shirt gave Tawton their first points of the match, making it 5-3.

Alas, almost immediately Torquay hit back with a penalty of their own, 8-3.

Both sides settled into the match and in truth there was not much to choose between them.

Torquay went over the line for what they thought was a try, only to be judged a knock on, so disallowed.

They looked dangerous with ball in-hand.

It was on one of their next visits into the Tawton half that the ball found its way into the hands of Jordan Cornthwaite who ran, fending tackles, as he went from the half-way line to score the first of his three tries of the afternoon.

It’s getting to be a regular sight and long may it continue, missed kick score 8-8.

As if to say we can do that too, Torquay hit back with a fine try of their own down the far wing, a good run and over in the corner, missed kick go to half-time, 13-8 to the home side.

We start the second half in much the same vein, North Tawton strike first, a penalty taken this time by Liam Pyle moves the Tawts to within two points, 13-11.

Unfortunately as it proved that was as close as North Tawton got to Torquay, two tries added by the hosts taking the score to 25-11.

It was beginning to look like a mountain to climb, another long run in for Jordan Cornthwaite gave hope on the touchline of a come back score 25-16.

The man of the match is not finished yet and he’s soon going over in the corner for his third try, missed kick takes us to 25-21.

North Tawton as always refuse to lie down, they came to play rugby and that’s what they were doing, up against it most of the time but still in there.

Torquay, as their coaching staff are saying, know they have been in a dog fight of a match and need to step it up in the last 10 minutes of the game to secure the win, a penalty taking them to 28-21.

To finish a brilliant cross kick and catch gave them their best try of the game and final score of 35-21.

Another loss for North Tawton but they must not let their heads drop. It is a strong league and the opposition in the last few weeks has been from teams you would expect to see fighting it out at the top of the table.

Strong games for quite a few of the Tawts players bodes well for future games to come and the wins will come I am sure. Next we are home to Veor.

Chris Phare