North Tawton RFC 13 - Withycombe 15

NORTH Tawton RFC hosted Withycombe at Taw Meadows last weekend following the previous week’s defeat to Devonport Services II.

With a growing number of injuries and unavailable players the home side went into the game with only two subs on the bench and a debutant on the wing.

The home side got off to a great start after a nice move off the back of a scrum in the opening five minutes which put acting 13 Will Lethbridge through for the first try of the game which he converted, the score 7-0.

The following five minutes saw both teams trying to find weaknesses in each other defence and following a couple infringements by the home side, Withycombe were awarded a penalty which was kicked between the posts for the away sides first points of the game. The score 7-3.

Unfortunately Will Lethbridge and Michael Young had to come off with injuries after the opening 20 minutes meaning both substitutes had been used for the Tawts. We hope they both make a speedy recovery.

Debutant winger Aiden made a break from his own half but was unable to score being brought down a few metres short of the try line and the Withycombe defence managed to gain a turnover and clear the ball.

The home side were awarded a penalty kick which was put through the posts by Captain Jack Phare. The score 10-3.

A few moments before half time Withycombe had an attacking line out which was pushed over in the corner, the conversion missed bring the the score at half time to 10-8.

The second half saw both defences put under pressure. The away side was going for territory with the strong boot of their number 10.

The home side were making some strong attacking breaks through Simon Quick, Ben Sharp and Ryan Gross.

Withycombe scored another try very much like the first again with an attacking line out drive over the line in the corner, this time converted to put them in the lead, 10-15.

Captain Jack Phare kicked another successful penalty to take the score to 13-15 and with 10 minutes to go a Withycombe player was given his marching orders with a red card for receiving a second yellow.

The home side were awarded the penalty which was unfortunately missed by Jack meaning the score stood at 13-15.

With a couple minutes to go the home side were awarded another chance to take the lead but the attempt by full back Ben Sharp was missed and the game came to its end.

The final score was hard to take as the home side were very unlucky not to seal their first win of the season.

Withycombe’s Captain said that the performance by the home side does not reflect their position in the league and the results will come.

The Man of the Match was awarded to returning player from long-term injury Ben Sharp by the away team. Ben made some great attacking runs throughout the game and kept the away teams defence busy. Good to see you back out on the field!

Next the Tawts are away to Ivybridge II.