Exmouth U11's 52 - 7 Honiton U 11's

With last weeks match cancelled due to the weather Exmouth U 11’s were keen play some competitive rugby and competitive they were right from the start. Honiton being awarded a scrum just inside their own half early in the game and succeeded in pushing the Exmouth pack to secure the ball but Scrum Half Stewart Masters was quick around the scrum to pounce on his opposite number and steal the ball, then produced a quick and accurate pass to wing Richard Forrest who left all standing as he raced to the line to open the score for Exmouth. Arron Lee was on target to add the extra two points with a good conversion. From the re-start Honiton put Exmouth under a pressure but spilled the ball only for Forrest to gather and sprint the length of the pitch to touch down for a try, which was again converted by Lee.

Next get his name on the score board was Ben Dawson, who was playing in the centre rather than his customary wing position, the cockles set up a good driving maul and Fly Half Owen Tidball slipped a neat ball to Dawson who demonstrated his new position suited him as he was and able to use his pace to great effect and score. Shortly after another Maul was formed and with Harry Sprague at the helm the Exmouth Forwards drove over only for the ball to be declared held up. A five yard scrum was set and again the Exmouth Forwards were able to dominate which gave Masters the platform to set up Dawson for his second. Exmouth carried a 26 – 0 lead into half time to the delight of the home supporters.

The Second half came with the opportunity to show that this squad has quality in depth with many replacements made but the intensity of Exmouth play remained. Sprague broke through the first line of defenders only to be brought down just short, in doing so he was able to offload to Masters to dive low to score. Kicking duties were handed to Eddie Ford who made no mistake with a powerful kick straight between the posts. Honiton were continuing to battle but were unable to keep possession long enough to register any points One dominating factor in the Exmouth armoury is the ability of Blu Sandy to emerge from mauls with the ball in hand, his strength in this area of the game is unquestionable and it allowed him to add another try following some sterling defence from Honiton on their own 5 yard line.

Not only were the Exmouth forwards working hard but their efforts gave room for the backs to play and pass cleanly, one such passage resulted in several good passes and Luke Davis having room to run at his opponents and score a fine try.

Shortly after Honiton were able to get some reward for their efforts and a good passing move secured a try which was then accurately converted. Honiton perhaps deserved more from this game and would have secured more points if they did not turn over possession in the last quarter of the pitch. The young Cockles secured victory when Davis touched down in the corner, again converted by Ford.

With the result standing at 52 – 7 Exmouth player of the match was Harry Sprague for his consistent and strong forward play in the mauls and scrums. Ben Dawson was named as Tackler of the Match with some fine try saving cover tackles which he was able to make from his more central role. Moreover this was a great performance from the whole squad and recent signings Alex Waiton, Richard Forrest & Zach Lines played their part in entertaining the crowd.