SALCOMBE 12 - NORTH TAWTON 29
While the score suggests, perhaps an easier time for the Tawts, it was only in the last quarter of the match that the away side really took control and pushed on to claim the important bonus point which keeps them top of the league.
The match started well for North Tawton with an early visit in to the Salcombe red zone, which almost resulted in an early try, a good intercept stopping the chance.
For the next hour it was nip and tuck with, if anything, Salcombe seeing more of the ball and not afraid to run at the Tawton defence, which, while tested at times, did a very good job of holding firm.
When North Tawton did get the ball in-hand, and in attack, the team, as the score board reflects, did far more damage.
The first try of the match coming from "flying" Ryan Goss, gave the Tawts the lead which they never gave up, the conversion by James Bowden making it 7-0.
From the restart Salcombe came back at Tawton with some good running rugby but not managing to breech the Tawton wall.
Another Tawts try by the scoring machine Matt Baker albeit with a missed kick, took the lead to 12-0.
Getting close to half-time, Salcombe pushed hard for their first score with a lot of possession on or abouts the Tawton five-yard line.
They got the their reward with a try, with the kick we go into half-time making it Salcombe 7 - North Tawton 12.
A good team talk in the break seemed to fire up the men in black and gold from the start of the second half whistle.
You could feel the intent not to let this match slip away and a well worked try from the backs resulted in good support run from scrum-half Jack Phare.
He went over under the post for a try, the kick added by James Bowden, giving the Tawts a bit of breathing space at 7-19.
Salcombe were not going to lie down and they carried on very much as before, plenty of possession running at Tawton at every chance, their second try taking the score to 12-19.
Because our line was so fast we were getting pinged for offside but the home team had room to play, making it hard work.
Not to worry too much because up popped a Dennis, Craig this time, to end a strong run with the Tawts fourth try of the match, James adding the conversion to make the score 12-26.
This last try did seem to knock the stuffing out of the home team and a further penalty from the boot of James Bowden sealed the win at 12-29.
It was a well-deserved win, with all wearing the black and gold playing their part against a very spirited Salcombe side who are better than their league position would have you believe.
The next match at home to Buckfastleigh should be another cracker.
Chris Phare