Exmouth U16s 38 - 0 Launceston

Exmouth U16's started the season with a convincing win over the Cornish All Blacks of Launceston at the Imperial Recreation Ground last Sunday. Spoils had been shared in recent encounters between the sides but the Cockles played well enough to score 6 tries in a 38-0 victory.

The win follows many hard and productive training sessions over the summer and the players were raring to get into some match play. The forwards dominated possession, stealing lots ball from their opponent's line out and scrum and late in the first quarter debutant Harry Williamson scored in clubhouse corner following a quickly taken tap penalty by Scrum half Sam Fulthorpe. Williamson was to score again later to mark a commendable first appearance.

Joseph Oates added the second try with a drive from the back of a scrum and the forwards added the next with Tom Taylor-Adey diving through tackles under the post. Good interplay between backs and forwards led to Williamson's second before a classic line-out and maul move led to Josh Whibberley bagging a fourth try for the pack. The final try was again the product of the team working well together and Tom Cooke touched the ball down after picking it up and driving around the side of a ruck near the posts. Outside-half Harry Ottoway converted 4 of the tries which contributed to his Man of the Match performance.

The score may have flattered Exmouth slightly as Launceston had many good runners in their backs and put pressure on Exmouth when they got the ball behind the defensive line. But Exmouth's defence was hard-working and it was as pleasing to see a team keep a clean sheet as well as play in organised attacking patterns. A good start to the season which coach, John Justice, will hope continues.