1st Team v Newbury Blues RFC

5 penalties, 15 points from the Tee for George Meadows, was not enough to claim the win away from home. Our hosts were good value in their victory, having lost their first 3 matches this season. They were back to full strength for this home game and certainly tested the Cockles.
The Blues got early points within 11 minutes with a tries from James Macaulay and Josh Bartlett, converted by Dan Thorne. Exmouth were never going to give up, their determination this season has been exemplary. They forced the first of a number of infringements from Newbury on 20 minutes. Meadows converted the penalty, 12-3. Frustratingly the Cockles made their own error for Newbury to increase their lead to 15-3 with a Thorne penalty. The last 10 minutes of the first half were all pressure from Exmouth. Despite getting close to the try line, they could not force their way over the white wash and had to settle for two further penalties to close the half 15-9 down.

A much brighter start to the second half, the Cockles driving their way back in to contention. A quicker tempo of play and good carries from Steve Pape, Dan Armstrong and skipper Jack Fahy definitely helped. Joe Harris in to the back row drew the next penalty and Meads calmly slotted for 15-12. Newbury were forced to concede again and the score was level at 15-15. Games are defined by fine margins and so it happened here. The lads spent a lot of time and effort getting to the try line but were unable to convert. Despite solid work from Charlie Tribble, Nick Halse, Gareth Walker and latterly Jack Madge, the Exmouth front row could not get over the line. Defensively Dave Bargent & James Harris had worked tirelessly throughout. At the final stages of each phase, a spill of the ball, turnover or penalty halted the Exmouth comeback. The lads were frustrating the hosts also, as they eventually opted to take penalty chance, when they were pressing for a try. 18-15 to Newbury. Despite the tenacity of James Bath and marshal of Meadows it was difficult for Dan Sanders, Alex Goldman, Matty Ryan, and Jacob Unwin to break free. Henry Goldson looked lively and did cause a few problems but the final play broke down. Goldie was replaced early in the 2nd half by James Willmott who also cut strong running lines. Although the game was tight it was the error count that decided the game. In an attack situation, a ball fumble from our boys and a fly hack kick through by Blues led to the last points of the game, a try from Dylan Stewart, converted by Thorne, 25-15.

For the final 10 minutes The Cockles did bust it to salvage something from the match but once again misfired at the lineout or could not get to the try line.

Newbury deserved their win, as the better team on the day. Definitely a game our lads had a chance of winning. We will regroup and look to find our early season, whole game tempo, at home to Okehampton next weekend.