A try from Birthday boy Mark Wathes sealed the bonus point victory and capped an impressive performance in many areas of the game as the Cockles started the season brightly in the Stunning East Devon Sunshine.

Richard Bright scored on his return to the club, Tom Brown scored an impressive dart through a ruck, and the 'man mountain' that is Charlie Gibbings scored the Cockles third try. The Cockles had to wait until late in the game to gain the bonus point with Wathes defying his looks and age to sprint to the try line!

Utility back Matt Ryan sealed an impressive performance with the teams fifth try with the last play of the game. Player Attack coach Tom Whelan kicked the rest of the points with a fine league debut.

Head Coach Jon Hill comments:

"Extremely pleased with a bonus point victory over a good team who asked a lot of questions of our defence.

"We have a lot of work ons from the game and in particular our breakdown skills , which were poor, and must be improved ahead of next weeks game. We turned a lot of ball over to the opposition and wasted a number of try scoring opportunities. We have to be ruthless and demand more each week.

"That said, it was an amazing day for the club, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd xv all winning , all at home, and a fantastic club social last night. A club and team spirit is vitally important to harness and develop further , and it was great to see some old school rugby values evident in the clubhouse."

The UK Protection (joint match day sponsor) man of the match went to fly half Tom Whelan .

The DG Risk (joint match day sponsor) man of the match was awarded to impressive hooker Charlie Gibbings.

1st xv Won 39-5 v Lydney 1st xv
2nd xv Won 74-17 v Lydney 2nd xv
3rd xv Won 29-0 v Withycombe 2nd xv

Regards

Jon