News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
1st Team v Bournemouth - Match Report

1st Team v Bournemouth - Match Report

Ian Harris11 Oct 2021 - 09:45
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.exmouthrugby.co.uk

Away Win, Supporters Delight

The travelling support had much to cheer in this corker of a game. Indeed, the small section of Cockles supporters definitely made themselves heard at full time. Never seen so many Exmouth people in Bournemouth at one time.

In a great contest, both teams put in a huge shift to attack, defend and counter-attack. Bournemouth Lions had the better of the opening 20 minutes with wave after wave of assault on the Exmouth try line. Lions did get the first try after 4 minutes through Ryan Morrell out wide right, missed conversion, 0-5. The bigger Lions pack used their additional weight effectively and the home side could certainly move the ball out to wide channels, however it was The Cockles who smashed back and kept out each attack. For 35 minutes Exmouth kept looking for a break. A couple of incisive runs from Jake Inglis, Lewis Geran and Matty Ryan were brought down close the Lions whitewash. With half time approaching it was Dave Bargent who broke off the back of a line-out just inside the Exmouth half and battered his way to cross the try line. George Meadows slotted the conversion, 5-7 to Exmouth. A quick restart and then half time.

Both teams sensed that this was going to be tough for either side to make headway. Physical all round with several injuries to the Lions, delaying the game. The Cockles pack were in no mood to mess about and put in some bone crunching tackles. On 50 minutes Bournemouth got their break-through Ash Taylor converted by Grant Hancox, 12-7. The game was wide open and it was the away team that struck next. A yellow card for Lions Guildford, gave Exmouth a brief advantage. After a period of pressure from our lads, there was a knock on close to the try line. From a clearance kick, The Cockles broke through the resultant line out. A break for the line saw Matty Ryan go over just to the left of the post, converted by Meads, 12-14. That was good, what happened next was superb. Some lightening reactions from Lewis Geran enabled him to break free from just on the opposition 10 metre line and outstrip the defence, Meadows added the extras 12-21. In terms of drama, this game was not over by a long way. Giving away a poor penalty allowed Hancox to close the scores to 15-21. Losing bonus point or the win was on the mind of the Lions faithful, especially from a Top 3 team. Exmouth did have their chance to close out the game but found themselves defending their line on full time. Eventually Alex Sutherland went over in the corner, 20-21, with the touchline conversion to come. Reliable Hancox missed from the wide angle.

Not just the points scorers, all the Exmouth players deserve a mention for their massive contribution, Oli Cave, Jake Inglis, George Mears, Nick Headley, Rhys Davies-Horne (debut), James Harris, Connor O’Shaughnessy, Toby Papp, Max Keen, Gareth Walker, Jack Madge, Matt Hicks, Fin Keywood and skipper Jack Fahy certainly deserved the massive cheers from the away supporters. Also, the deserved congratulations from several Bournemouth supporters too.

The win put The Cockles into 3rd place, behind Exeter Uni and Hornets who have yet to lose after 6 rounds. A league break weekend next weekend, the next South West Premier game is at home to Brixham RFC on Saturday 23rd October at 2.30 pm.

_______________________________________

Exmouth NOMADS entertained Bideford RFC on Saturday. The spirited North Devon outfit did ensure that the home side were made to play some good rugby to secure their 45-10 win. The Cockles side now in second place courtesy of points difference to Topsham 2nd team in Devon Merit Table 2.

Further reading