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Plymstock Albion

Oaks 54

North Tawton 3

WITH injuries and non-availability taking their toll, North Tawton put out a much-changed side to take on Plymstock Albion Oaks at their Horsham ground. With the return of Richard Lethbridge to the side it meant he was playing in the same side as his son William.

Plymstock started strongly and moved the ball well to open their scoring with a try out wide on the left, which was not converted. A good response by North Tawton saw them drive a maul up the middle and gain a scrum in the Plymstock 22 metre area, but the strength of the big Plymstock pack started to dominate the proceedings and it was Oaks who scored next with a break through the middle of Tawton's defence leading to a converted try by the centre.

Tawton gained a penalty and a further 10 metres was conceded by Oaks. A tap penalty was taken and good interplay between Darcy Heard and Will Lethbridge in the centre for Tawton penetrated the defence but ultimately the move was held up. Oaks came back strongly with two further tries, breaking Tawton's defensive line too easily. Both conversions were missed leaving the score at 22-0 to Oaks.

A further try was prevented by good tackling our wide on the wing Aaron Hart and Will Lethbridge and although Tawton had a good spell when Oaks conceded a series of penalties and territory was gained, it was Oaks who finished the half the stronger.

A break by Lethbridge at the start of the second period led to a penalty within kicking range and fly half Jack Phare converted for Tawton's first points. However it was about the only time Tawton were really in the match as Oaks again dominated the play and opened up the defence to run in five more tries and a penalty. Some good tackling by Tawton, who again kept playing up to the final whistle, meant they made Oaks work for their win but the scoreline shows how much stronger they were.