Exmouth 13s 33 - 17 Sidmouth U 13s

Exmouth U 13s entertained Sidmouth on Sunday in what has been a fairly even contest in past years. This was going to be the match by which the young Cockles could gauge how much they have progressed since last season. I high tempo game would be required to keep the game moving and this is how the game started with Exmouth running with the ball in hand and recycling well. This resulted in the home side scoring two converted tries in the opening 15 minutes. The first of which was a solo effort by Harry Sprague from a penalty near the centre of the pitch. The second was more of a team effort, The Exmouth forwards demolished a Sidmouth Scrum and the backs worked the play into the Sidmouth half and a penalty was awarded because the pace caught Sidmouth off side taken quickly this penalty gained more territory and the cockles were quick to the breakdown and Scrum half Stewart Masters fed the ball to the backs again who took the ball across the field again to Thomas Preece who broke through the defence to score under the posts.

What followed was a complete reversal of fortunes. Sidmouth piled on the pressure and Exmouth struggled to get out of their own half for the remainder of the first half. Perhaps it was a little bit of complacency following the good start but Sidmouth made their hosts pay with two tries of their own with some powerful runs particularly from their tall No8. The first was a try in the corner and a gallant effort from No8 with the kick but it was narrowly missed the second try was closer in and kicked successfully. This gave Exmouth a slight 14 – 12 advantage at half time.

After a good team talk at half time and fresh legs Exmouth came out again with renewed vigour but were immediately under pressure with a dropped ball in their own 22, this time they weathered the storm and then played for a sustained period in the Sidmouth half. Eventualy the territory and pressure paid when following an Exmouth Lineout on the Sid 5m line Fly half Ben Dawson broke free to score wide on the opposite side of the pitch but was not able to add the extras. Exmouth did not then sit back and from scrum deep in the Exmouth Half Sprauge who had been moved from second row to No8 picked up at the base and broke through three tackles with only the small Sidmouth fullback to beat , the crowd though Sprague would just run right through him but a fearless tackle stopped Sprague in his tracks fortunately Dawson was there to receive the offload and score the try which he then converted.

Sidmouth came back at the cockles and a high tackle gave them a penalty 5m out and Exmouth did not organise themselves fast enough to prevent the Sid No 8 scoring in the corner for an uncoverted try.

The Exmouth forwards were enjoying their day and dominated in the close quarters encounters winning all their own scrums and half of their opponents as well credit due here to Exmouth Hooker Blu Sandy who secured the ball from well timed and powerful scumaging. They were also playing well with the mauls and when Sidmouth lost the ball in a maul deep in the Exmouth half Sprague quickly gathered and avoided the tackle attempts, this time the Sidmouth fullback did not seem to have the same appetite for another crunching tackle and Sprague scored under the posts to seal the match for a 33 – 17 victory. Man of the match award was shared equally between Harry Sprague & Owen Tidball