"Whilst never wanting to create outcome goal pressure on players, I think we all understood that getting a positive result was all that really mattered in this basement battle. Having produced a spirited performance last week it was important to build on that and we had targeted this game as the one that could really kick start our season.

"Barnstaple were always going to be a tough test, especially considering the experience they were able to name in their team. Any side containing Championship and National One rugby that the likes of Steve Perry, Robbie Dugard, Bryn Jenkins, Ben Hilton and Jake Murphy have, should be afforded the respect that it deserves.

"We wanted to play a very high tempo game in the belief that we felt Barnstaple would tire , and that we could pick off weaker defensive channels after a multi phase approach. This proved a positive strategy, although we were very disappointed to have been held up over the line, and to have wasted two or three good try scoring opportunities in the first half. We didn't quite get our game going and were not able to convert undoubted pressure into points.

"The half time chat was all about raising the pace of the game in the belief that our fitness levels would give us an advantage as the game entered the final quarter. We probably played our best rugby when we were twice down to 14 men following sin bins , and this shows the character of the team that they increased their work rate when decisions clearly went against them.

"Captain Jack Fahy gained the man of the match award although centres Henry Goldson and Mark Wathes could easily have gained the award for opening up the Barnstaple midfield on a number of occasions.

Picture: Jack Fahy receives the man of the match award from match day sponsors Jewsons.