IT is with great pleasure, pride and relief that I report on North Tawton’s first win of the season, a comprehensive win away from home against Exmouth Seconds (November 5).

The game didn’t start too well for North Tawton who seemed to be still getting used to the sea air as Exmouth ran in the first try of the match with what was their first attack, barely two minutes into the game and a missed kick, 5-0.

The travelling faithful which included quite a few of the walking wounded, “nice to see” all not daring to think or say “here we go again”, another afternoon of frustration and what if’s?, they didn’t know at this point the rugby gods were going to shine on North Tawton for once.

The fightback, if you can call it that this early in the game, started straight away.

A double charge down, some quick reactions from Matty Dennis, and he is under the post for the first of the Tawton tries.

The kick was added by Liam Pyle and North Tawton are in front, 5-7.

The welcome return of Will Lethbridge, whose speed and hard tackling has sorely been missed, was celebrated with a fine try, typical of Will, missed kick, Tawts go 5-12 up.

It’s not all plain sailing, the injury curse strikes again in no time.

North Tawton lose Edd Knight and their captain Jack Phare with painful knocks to neck and leg and while the Tawts readjust to the change in line-up, Exmouth take advantage and go over for their second try, missed kick taking us into half-time, 10-12.

With the oranges out of the way it’s back to business, can the Tawton side push on or will it be a bit too much away from home against a team sitting well above them in the league?

Exmouth did their bit to help very early in the second half, a yellow card for a deliberate pat down takes them to 14 players and when Ryan Gross darts over for a try, and Liam Pyle adding the kick, it’s suddenly 10-19.

This is uncharted territory this season, North Tawton were not just winning the game, they were controlling it.

Exmouth, who by now were looking tired, were being pushed back in their own half by some good kicking from the Tawton backs, every chance they had struggling to make any meaningful attack against a North Tawton side who, with their tales up, were enjoying their rugby.

Coming into the final quarter, step forward James Bowden, two tries, one with the conversion added, takes us to 10-31, a very welcome first win of the season.

The sense of relief was tangible from all supporters and players alike but it’s nothing more than the club deserves having had to deal with an ever-growing injury list, coming up against some far “bigger” clubs as in catchment abilities etc.

Chris Phare