The Nomads made it two from two in 2019 with a hard fought win over Topsham at the Imperial Ground. A lot closer than the score line would suggest with Exmouth only managing to pull away in the final ten minutes.

For the second week in a row the Nomads were slow out of the blocks and Topsham took full advantage to race into a 12-0 lead with only 20 minutes on the clock. Exmouth then responded strongly for the remainder of the half and managed to go into the break leading 14-12 courtesy of scores by Dave Wellbeloved & Andrew Smith, the latter seeing out the last ten minutes of the half in the sin bin with both scores being converted by the reliable boot of Tom Steer.

The forward pack was freshened up in the second half with the introduction of Ben Holloway, Brad Young, Jason Ianniciello and the youthful Leigh Ellis. The fresh legs for Exmouth immediately started to make inroads into their opponents especially in the scrum where Exmouth dominated from the start of the half to provide an excellent attacking platform for the backs. In possession Exmouth were excellent with the ball in hand and were a constant threat to Topsham. Although without the ball were sloppy and conceded silly penalties which cost field position which the excellent Topsham line-out took full advantage. Courtesy of some fine handling throughout the half further scores went to Andrew Smith again, Jake Sharp, Brad Young and Dan Carey.

The man of the match this week went to Dan Carey who produced a strong performance in the scrum and was powerful throughout in the loose. The night shirt this week was awarded to Andrew Smith for being on the receiving end of a yellow card and what felt like a personal mission to see how far he could push the referee's patience throughout the match.

Next week a visit from table topping Sidmouth to the Imperial Ground will provide stiff opposition for the Nomads and will offer a real measure of how the team is progressing this season.

Rich Haynes