Exmouth RFC Colts started their League campaign with a most entertaining match at home with Plymstock Oaks. However as Oaks only arrived with 12 players the match win was awarded to Exmouth. The visitors were loaned 3 players to allow a match to be played.
Exmouth kicked off but unfortunately this went straight into touch and this handed Oaks control with a scrum at half way, they secured the ball and after 3 or 4 phases were over for a early try. The Cockles response was quick and decisive, and Jack Greenaway had them back level within a few minutes.
This was to be an evenly fought contest with both sides playing some good rugby however after a basic mistake by the cockles, Oaks held up man and ball over the cockles line which presented them with a 5m scrum right in front of the posts, from this Oaks powered over for another unconverted Try.
Again, Exmouth were quick to respond and Hooker Eddie ford ran a lovely line to receive the ball from a ruck 10 metres out and crossed to bring the two sides level again however Zac Tucker conversion gave the home side a narrow 2 point lead.
Another unconverted try by Oaks was again followed by a Cockles try courtesy of Ben Mellor. This is how the half finished with Cockles in front 17 – 15.
Plymstock were again off early with a quick try to start the second half which was successfully converted. Injury to the Oaks Scrum half reduced their numbers further so it was 14 a side still with 3 Cockles making up the numbers for Plymstock. This was followed by an injury to Rhodrie Williams who later required stiches to a nasty gash on the shin.
Ryan White again brought the sides level however Mellor was harshly penalised and received a yellow card for not releasing in the tackle and Exmouth had to play the rest of the match a man down. Oaks ran in two tries in the last quarter which allowed them to finish 43 -22 victors. The Cockles 4 try haul also gave them a bonus point with the Oaks awarded one league point.