The match was a fantastic advert for second and third team rugby with both sides playing to an extremely high standard. Exmouth made a strong start straight from the kick off securing their own kick and laid siege to the Sidmouth try line from the off. The home side defended well & the Cockles ill-discipline ultimately ensured that their line wasn’t breached.

Sidmouth scored first with a penalty from close range and shortly afterwards slick handling from their backs saw them score wide out with the resulting conversion going wide.
Exmouth responded well and after a sustained period of pressure Exmouth were awarded a penalty that Glenn Layton successfully put between the sticks. The half ended with Sidmouth in the lead 8-3. Exmouth conceded a penalty straight from the kick off which their fly half kicked to the corner and from the resulting line out drive Sidmouth were awarded a penalty try.

The Cockles dominated large periods of the half but were unsuccessful in crossing the whitewash resulting in the final score remaining 15-3. The team displayed a huge amount of character and to a man gave everything for the shirt. The back row trio in particular of Aaron Conway, Sam Millardship & Jos Urmston demonstrated levels of fitness and strength you wouldn’t necessarily associate with third team rugby.

Man of the man this week went to the skipper Martin Westaway who rolled back the years with an outstanding performance always leading from the front all afternoon. The Nightshirt this week was awarded to Sam Harradine who not for the first time this season proved that second rows shouldn’t try to pass further than five yards!

Report Rich Haynes