NORTH TAWTON 19 - BUCKFASTLEIGH 8

A BIG day in the history of North Tawton RFC as two home teams took to the field at Taw Meadows on Saturday, October 27.

The Seconds were playing Exeter Engineers on the far pitch and the First team took on the well-drilled team from Buckfastleigh on the main pitch.

That’s at least 30plus players turning out for NTRFC, no mean feat for a small town club.

With all due respect to the players of the Seconds, the keen interest was how the Tawts were going to fair against a mobile looking Buckfast side, looking to bring the home team’s unbeaten run to an end.

Both teams from the kick off showed a desire to play a fast ball-in-hand type of game and some good rugby being played by both teams kept the score 0-0 14 minutes in.

It was North Tawton who struck first with what is becoming a welcome sight for Tawts fans, a run from their own half, some quick slick passes and Gary Sizmur going over for his first of the afternoon, albeit a missed kick - the score 5-0.

Now the Tawts have found the try-line it’s not long before we have a repeat performance this time with Si Cox dotting down under the posts and a successful kick it’s 12-0 to the home side.

Buckfast were not giving up quite yet and some good cover tackles stopped the Tawts breaking down the wings as they have shown a liking for in previous games.

Can’t keep a good man down though and Gary Sizmur finds a gap, after more good play from the backs, his second with the kick from James Bowden it’s 19-0.

That’s it 19 points for North Tawton. Buckfast get awarded a penalty and get the three points just on half-time, they add a try of their own start of the second half taking the score to 19-8.

It’s looking like a bit of a test for the Tawts 60 minutes in.

Another win for the Tawts alas no bonus point. Man of the match was Gary Sizmur - yet another cracking match.

Chris Phare