Exmouth RFC confirmed their first signing for the 12/13 season with the addition of England Colleges and Sidmouth hooker Alex Spurdle. This has come as a timely boost for the Cockles, who are due to lose Lloyd Morgan until January as he is travelling abroad with his partner.

Spurdle is a highly rated young hooker who also played for the Exeter Chiefs 'A' Xv against Harlequins towards the end of last season, as well as featuring in an Exeter Chiefs Academy fixture against England South West Under 18's. He will join Devon's highest placed non-professional side from the 11/12 season for pre season training, when the Cockles return on July 3rd from their summer break. Spurdle will be no stranger to many of the Exmouth players, having played with Ben King, Will Norton and George Meadows for England Colleges, as well as having been previously coached by head coach Jon Hill, and club coach Max Hansford.

Player Forwards Coach Bob Armstrong commented on the signing:

'We are delighted to welcome another promising young talent into our squad, and I look forward to helping him develop his game to ensure that we build on our successes from last season. Other than myself, Jon Fabian, and Adam Wylie we have a very young squad at Exmouth and it is a vibrant atmosphere where we place a key emphasis on learning and developing across all aspects of the game. Last season we developed a high work ethic and togetherness in our squad and this meant as the season went on, we became more and more successful. We are certainly looking to build on this next season, and everyone will start with a clean slate. Having met Alex, I was impressed with his desire to develop his game and with his positive attitude. He strikes me as a good team man, and someone who will buy into what we are trying to achieve here.'