NORTH TAWTON 6 - WESSEX 10

ON a wet but well turned out pitch North Tawton fielded what on paper looked a strong side against the high flying Wessex team. The Exeter team it seems, came with a game plan that by large they stuck too and went home with a well-deserved win.

From a North Tawton point of view it surely has to be a game that got away. A dropped ball here, a knock on there, and it could easily have been a win reported here but alas it was not to be.

Take nothing away from Wessex, Tawts, I am sure, will feel they didn’t play their A game today, a bit slow at the break down maybe, too many turn over balls didn’t help their cause, a bad injury to the winger Ben Sharp, 10 minutes in the bin for scrum-half Jack Phare for a professional foul (didn’t look very professional to the ref quote after the final whistle) only added to the frustration of playing staff and spectators alike.

The bottom line is that North Tawton played some good rugby in patches but against a dogged Wessex team came up short.

The last five minutes of the first half saw the Tawts pin Wessex inside their own 10 metre line and you got the feeling that the away side were only too pleased to hear the half-time whistle leading 10-0, the result of a converted try and a penalty.

The second half saw North Tawton hit back somewhat with two penalties of their own struck by Will Leathbridge but it was a try that was required to pinch a win with the clock ticking down.

All the pressure for points was coming from the Tawts. A late break from deep by Wessex didn’t do the nerves of the home supporters any good. Jack Phare winning a close run to make the ball safe over his own line a bit of atonement for the yellow earlier, as in the first half the away team were, you feel, very happy to hear the final whistle.

The joy on the faces of Wessex only matched by the frustration of the Tawton team.

Game over thoughts turn to the injury of Ben Sharp who I am told has a shoulder problem which resulted in a ride in the ambulance. Hope it’s not too serious as Ben is a big miss to the team when he’s not playing.

On Saturday, January 14, North Tawton are away to New Cross.

Chris Phare