Tavistock U13's 20 - 28 Exmouth U13's

Exmouth RFC U13’s have recently faced a couple of stern challenges, but travelling across Dartmoor to Tavistock on Sunday morning they knew this would be the toughest to date by quite a margin. The hosts have already beaten some of Devon’s best teams and would pose a significant threat to their seasons unbeaten run.

Tavistock tested the Cockles defence from the outset but found their visitors to be resilient and were unable to make any measured progress into Exmouth territory, however an infringement at the ruck resulted in Tavistock having a Penaulty which, with a good kick could take them into a deep attacking position, but they failed to make the touch line and the ball was caught cleanly by Full Back Eddie Ford, from this platform the Cockles worked play up to the midfield and beyond passing and recycling with accuracy and tenacity. When Exmouth Fly Half Ben Dawson saw a half chance to break through the line he did so with pace and then side stepped around the Tavistock Full Back to score under the posts, followed by a successful conversion to give Exmouth a well deserved 7 point lead.

Tavistock were quick to respond and having been camped for a short while 5metres out, their intense pressure resulted in a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was a tough kick and did not reach its target. Exmouth were not given much chance to regroup before Tavistock were again deep in Exmouth territory. The scrums were being fairly evenly contested but on this occasion Tavistock secured the ball and with direct & powerful ball carrying they crossed for a second try in just 10 minutes, thankfully for Exmouth the conversion attempt again failed but it left Exmouth trailing by 10 points to 7.

Before the restart the Exmouth coach spoke a few words of encouragement to his young players and this ensured confidence did not suffer. One of the most encouraging aspects of this game was how the Exmouth team matched their hosts intensity and forced handling errors by closing them down quickly. This pace was soon to reap rewards when Harry Sprague gathered a loose ball and used power and speed to drive a path through the Tavistock defence to score, again Dawson was successful with the Conversion. Sprague played an key part in what was to become Dawsons 2nd & the Cockles third try of the half with another powerful break this time offloading to Dawson who just had to fall over under the posts to score. The first half closed at this point with Exmouth commanding a well deserved 21 – 5 lead.

The second half was played with even greater determination from both sides with neither wishing to give a metre of territory and both sides battling hard for possession. Eventually Exmouth’s replacement hooker Blu Sandy showed he had, as always, more determination than most and dogged persistent individual pressure carried him over to keep the score board moving in the right direction. With just 10 minutes left to play and with a 28 – 10 lead, the visiting supporters were confident of an Exmouth victory. But Tavistock were not finished and they scored two late tries in opposite corners but again the distance was too great for players of this age to add extra points with conversion attempts. Final result Tavistock 20 - Exmouth 28.

Trying to select a man of the match from such a brilliant team effort proved too much. But credit for this win produced by a good and rapidly improving squad must go to Coach Mike Sprague for his policy, since they played tag rugby at under 7s, that all players will get a game and given the opportunity to progress and develop their skills. This policy is still working today with new players gaining experience and securing a place as valuable members of a strong squad of young players. In the first season of playing on a full sized pitch with 15 man sides a reliable and fit team is required, Exmouth has such a team at U13’s.