NORTH TAWTON 38 - EXETER ATHLETIC 7

NORTH Tawton Rugby Club welcomed Exeter Athletic to Taw Meadow and despite being a bit short of match time due to all the postponements of late, went into this fixture full of confidence based on their 100 per cent home record and a previous away win against today's opposition.

An early try scored by George Nye from a great fast break and bolt for the line made it 7-0. The kick was added by Jack Phare.

That settled any early nerves and it looked like it would be a comfortable afternoon for the Tawts.

To say that after the game would not be fair to Athletic who throughout the match built many a good attack of their own and gave the Tawton defence a stiff test on several occasions.

Their main problem was the set pieces, in particular the scrum which the North Tawton forwards dominated all game.

As if not to be outdone on the break, and to put the hammer down and go for the line type of try, James Miller gave a wonderful example of “big boys can run too” as he blasted up the clubhouse try line and over for a great try. A missed kick but it was now at 12-0.

Both teams are playing some really good rugby, keeping the supporters, which included many old players who had enjoyed a fine lunch beforehand, well entertained.

Next to go over for a try was Ollie Robinson for his first try, not only of the match but for North Tawton. There was a missed kick but this took us to half time, 17-0.

We get into the second half where a certain Tom Stevens came to the fore, making line break after line break, many a carry after carry and he gets his brace of tries, with the kicks added by Jack Phare and before you know it its 31-0.

Full credit must go to Athletic who never gave up, still trying to play their game, and they were rewarded with their only points of the game in the shape of a try 31-7.

North Tawton have well won the match and can try one or two moves that get looked at on training night, they can throw the ball around with confidence and practise some different shapes.

Bill Sharpe who has been involved with most of the good supporting play leading to points gets the last try of the match with the conversion added by Jack Phare.

We get the final score of 38-7.

While it can be said that North Tawton never looked like losing this match they were at times given a run for the money by an Exeter side that never let their heads drop.

Chris Phare