Torquay Athletic Colts 5 v 39 Exmouth Colts

Both Exmouth and Torquay were looking for a fixture to fill an early season gap and the Cockles went to Torbay with enough players to lend the hosts a few to ensure a 15-a side run out. The Exmouth lads were more than willing to volunteer for the Tics.

Exmouth played with the wind in the first half and an early try for Oates was fair reward for a brisk start from the Exmouth team. A second try, this time converted, followed on 11 minutes when Kerton-Johnson scored. This marked an impressive debut appearance, coming onto the field as a replacement for Fulthorpe who had retired hurt, and moved the score to 0-12 in Exmouth’s favour.

A series of attacking line outs were squandered but an eventual clean catch was driven well and White peeled off as the maul rolled clockwise and the 2nd year, 2nd row had his 2nd try of the season in just two games.

The final score of the half, which took Exmouth to a comfortable 24 point lead, was from Schauffler who struck through the middle in a rehearsed move.

The second half saw the home side get on the score sheet with a well taken try by the no 8 picking up and driving from the back of an attacking scrum. The conversion was missed, 5—24.

Cockle’s hooker, Seagar, was next on the score-sheet, collecting the ball at the back of a lineout maul and driving over Cooke added the conversion and, shortly after, a drop goal to advance the score to 5-34. The next score was from quick rugby and Hall, who had struggled to get on the pitch, off-loaded to Urmston (playing out of position on the wing). The back rower ran a clever support line and used his strength to shrug off the best efforts of some last ditch tackling to score.

The final score of 5-39 may be unflattering on paper to the Torquay side but their spirit and attitude deserved more reward and if they can get more players back playing they could have a good season. The Exmouth side has much to be pleased with: good defence; players performing well out of position; training drills transferring well to the pitch; and the first choice props, Hughes (who earned Man of the Match) and Whibberley, battling it out instead of playing alongside each other for a change. Next week’s fixture for the Cockles is a league game away against Crediton.