1st Team v Barnstaple RFC

An early trade of penalties, Kieran McManus of Barnstaple and then George Meadows of Exmouth tied the score at 3-3 after 10 minutes. A few minutes later and after some flowing movement, Sam Whitehead at full back sliced through to go over for the try, converted by Meadows, 10-3. Barnstaple hit back through Will Topps, extras from McManus, 10-10. This was a physical encounter with both sides in full contact. On the half hour the home side stretched their lead through a wonderful, individual effort, Dave Bargent try, converted by Meads, 17-10. Barnstaple did receive a yellow card, Hilton had to sit out the rest of the half but Exmouth could not capitalise on the extra man.

In to the second half and the Cockles faithful would hope that their team could continue in the same vein. It took a clear 20 minutes before the visitors scored a converted try to bring the score level again, 17-17. A few minutes later Meads slotted another penalty 20-17. This game was always going to the wire and the final 15 minutes proved this. Despite early scrum dominance the home side creaked and found themselves under pressure a couple of times. Ben Hilton added a try for Barum, missed extras now 20-22 to Barnstaple. With 10 minutes to go Meads held his nerve to kick a long-range penalty from the Barum 10 metre line. Maybe some question whether to Cockles could have gone for the corner to try and win their lineout to secure more points but the decision was right at the time. 23-22 to the home side. The clock was ticking down and the Cockles defended superbly, however it was their penalty count that let the visitors steal the game with a McManus penalty, final score 23-25.

A losing bonus point from a game that was within their grasp. Clearly disappointed, the home side support recognised that the squad effort was never in question. A massive improvement from the previous week. On to next time, a tricky trip to Bracknell. Always a tough outing in Berkshire.

Big thanks go to our Match Day Sponsors Celtic Consturction & MLS Drywall Ltd. Tony Berry and Matt Simonds voted Dave Bargent as their Cockles Man of the Match.