U 13s Devon 7s Festival

Exmouth RFC U13s entered two teams (the Cockles & the Muscles) into the Devon 7s tournament hosted by Topsham RFC attracting the top junior clubs from across the county. With eight pools, each consisting of three teams, playing for three trophies Devon Cup, Devon Plate & Devon Shield.

The Cockles having beaten Sidmouth and then Honiton, topped their group and were therefore competing in the Cup quarter final against one of the favoured sides. Plymstock are talented side renowned for a tough no prisoners style of rugby which does not sit well with all and the Cockles knew they faced a gruelling encounter, however in the first half it was Plymstock who struggled to get out of their half and fell behind twice to a well drilled and talented Cockles side. This seemed to upset the Pymstock team and the Referee had to caution them on several occasions for arguing with his decisions and some ”No Prisoners” style of play which appeared to be directed at the Cockles Harry Sprague. Despite dominating the first half which finished with each scoring two tries the Cockles could not find quite the same form in the second half and fell behind having conceded three further tries without adding to their own two scored in the first half.

The Muscles were in a tough pool with South Molton and Topsham and although finishing strongly in both matches they suffered from slow starts and conceded tries in the first half which left them with too much to do later in the game. Finishing bottom of their pool they entered the Devon Shield Quarter final against Newton Abbot and despite playing some good rugby at times they were unable to go through the phases required to take control of the game. However it was a performance which made their Cockles team mates and parents very proud. It also gave some players the platform they needed to show their talents which sometimes goes unnoticed in the full 15 code.

This is the end of a very successful season for the cockles U 13’s which have seen them move from an ok “middle of the road” team to one of the best in the county. There can only be good things to come next year as they represent their club at U14 level.