After some close calls this season, Exmouth 2nd team contrived to finish runners up on the day. Barnstaple 2nd team would always be a tough prospect at home. Exmouth did seem generous visitors giving their hosts ample opportunity to score. Wing-man Dan Dickson went over for Exmouth with Fly-half Tom Steer adding the conversion 0-7. Barnstaple rumbled and scored twice before half-time taking the score to 12-7. The hosts scored again to increase their lead 19-7 before the young Cockles went over to bring the score to 19-14. James Clarke broke through the defence to score the try, converted by Steer. Playing tit for tat Barnstaple increased their lead again, with another converted score, 26-14. The Cockles were determined to make this tough for the hosts and grabbed the next two scores, first Sam Fulthorpe went over and then Prop Liam Cullen, used power and leg drive to reach for the line. Tom Steer converted the Cullen try, 26-26. Entering the final few minutes it did look like Exmouth would hold out or snatch this game. However Barnstaple did make the last attack and slipped in for the final score 33-26.

A disappointing end to the afternoon, The Cockles will know that sometimes defence wins games as well as scoring. This was a display of real heart from all the boys.

Still Top of Devon Merit Table 1

Barnstaple 1st and 2nd XV will return to Exmouth in March for the reverse double header.