Sidmouth U11's 15 - 10 Exmouth U11's

Exmouth U11’s home fixture with Taunton was cancelled and a last minute visit to Sidmouth was arranged and provided the opportunity to reverse the defeat inflicted earlier in the season. However in a game to be played in four quarters the young Cockles were again guilty of a poor start and Sidmouth ran in two tries in as many minutes before Exmouth had woken up!

Sidmouth were then being matched in all areas but were able to slip through a few week tackle attempts to the frustration of the coaching team. The Exmouth defence was at this stage being shored up by Owen Tidball Richard Forrest & Luke Davis, which gave the forwards some confidence to take control and work the ball up the field. Eventually Exmouth bullied their way over the line to score a try in the hands of Toby McConaghy. This marked the turning point in the game and Exmouth were by far the more dominant and Sidmouth were having to make some long clearance kicks to ease the pressure on their line, but this was to be their undoing when a kick 5m out was charged down by Tidball who quickly gathered and dived over to level the score just before half time.

The second half was played mostly in the Sidmouth end and Exmouth were in control of the ball for longer periods but unable to convert the possession and territory into points. The greatest opportunity fell to Davis who took a well timed pass from McConaghy and took off down the wing only to be tackled into touch a couple of metres out. Just when it looked like the second period was going to end without further score Sidmouth again kicked to clear their line and in what was one of the few occasions in the Exmouth half they came away with a try.

Periods three and four continued as before with Exmouth playing well and on balance had the percentage of possession and territory largely in their favour but neither side were able to add to the score and Sidmouth emerged 15 – 10 victors which disappointed the Exmouth team and supporters who felt this was against the run of play.

The whole squad was praised at the post match de-briefing for their hard work and in particular the newer players, Jarred Palmer, David Zrolko & Alex Lines, Richard Forrest was named as Tackler of the match and the forwards were collectively awarded Player of the match.