NORTH TAWTON A 19 - EXETER SARACENS SECONDS 27

NORTH Tawton hosted its first “double header” fixture for some time with both first and second teams playing at home against Exeter-based opposition.

The “A” team took on Exeter Saracens’ second team in a “friendly” match very much of two halves.

Within the first 10 minutes Sarries had run in two tries, both converted by their fly-half to go 14-0 up as North Tawton struggled to organise themselves with a team many of whom were adjusting to positional changes.

To their credit they pulled it together and thanks largely to some excellent long distance clearance kicks by fly-half Jamie Stevens they got back into the match.

The chance of a try for the home side came from a well-judged cross-field kick by Stevens off the back of a lineout five metres from Sarries try-line, but the chance was missed.

It was the Exeter team who scored next with a try from their right-wing coming on a well-angled run to cut the Tawton defensive line; the conversion was missed.

North Tawton finally got on to the scoreboard as the half entered its last few minutes with a good penalty kick from about 35 metres, converted by Stevens.

Saracens just had time to reply with their fourth try of the match as the half ended leaving the score-line at 24-3 to Saracens.

The second half was almost a mirror image of the first in terms of scoring with Tawton taking the honours 16-3.

The first score was a try minutes into the half with Jamie Stevens taking the ball from a scrum about 20 metres out and running a looping line to outflank the defence. He converted the try from wide out on the left.

With both sides making mistakes as the half progressed it came down to a kicking contest.

Stevens notched up three more penalty kicks, all from some distance, and Saracens took one. This left the final score at 27-19 in favour of Exeter Saracens.

North Tawton’s “A” team are scheduled to play their next match at home against Bude tomorrow, Saturday, March 5, and players are advised to keep an eye on the Facebook page for the latest news.

GK