NORTH TAWTON 52 - DARTMOUTH 12

A VERY enjoyable sponsors lunch laid on by Mrs North Tawton Rugby, aka Sarah Quick, and her helpers, was followed by a very entertaining match between table toppers North Tawton and Dartmouth.

Dartmouth belied their lowly table position with a "never give up" attitude even though they went three tries down in the first 30 minutes.

It took the home team only six minutes to score the first points with a try from Luke Dennis.

The conversion came from Gary Sizmur who took all the kicks for the Tawts all afternoon.

This was followed by probably the best try of the match, a run from deep in his own half, bouncing off tackles on the way to the Dartmouth try line.

It was a brilliant effort from Jordan Cornthwaite, the kick added to make it 14-0.

In what seems no time, especially to those just leaving the warmth of the clubhouse to watch what was becoming a proper rugby match, step up Gary Sizmur for his weekly try and conversion, it was 21-0.

Are the home team going to run away with this was the question asked by most.

Dartmouth soon answered that with a well-worked try of their own, taking advantage of maybe the Tawts dozing off a bit.

We got into half-time with a score of 21-5 and with their heads back up, the team from South Devon weren’t done yet.

The second half got underway with the Tawts very much showing intent to snuff out any comeback thoughts Dartmouth might be harbouring.

A brace from the in-form Alex Dennis, with one kick added, took us to 33-5.

The bonus point was secure and surely the game was won.

However, Dartmouth showed great pride in the shirt and didn’t show any signs of throwing in the towel, playing for every ball, keeping the home team honest.

Further tries came from Nathen Abrams, a first since his signing for Kev Dennis and a trip over the the white wash for scrum-half Jack Phare added to the try tally taking the Tawts to 52.

A late try and conversion for Dartmouth, when I think North Tawton players were thinking of a hot shower, gave us the final score of 52-12.

Man of the Match was Ryan Gross who does what it says on the tin.

No match this weekend so we can all enjoy the Six Nations, Swing low!

Chris Phare