U10s Exmouth 45 vs Paignton 15

From the first whistle the Home team drove hard and some tidy passing completed by a short run in from Ieuan Brockway provided an early lead. This was quickly followed by a second try as some nifty sidestepping saw Finn Musgrove take the ball some distance across the pitch to the line.
Paignton weren’t hanging about though, and their strong work in both mauls and rucks paid off when they hove the ball over their try line.
But Exmouth were a determined team today demonstrating some excellent team play. A series of superb passes initiated by Connor Philps allowed Liam Daniels to take the ball just before the line and claim a third try for the Home team. Continuing the momentum, Harry Sale showed the determination, which later gave him the ‘Outstanding Effort’ award, to drive the ball over the line yet again.
Paignton once more shook up the mix with some strong close play to force the ball over their line for a second well-deserved try taking the score to 20 vs 10 as the half time whistle blew.
Exmouth ran the risk of dominating the second half, but Paignton never allowed them full control of the ball and their determined play ensured Exmouth had to fight for every point. Liam Daniels, again managed an early try for the Home side, closely followed by a fast sprint down the line from Raff Gill, just securing a try by the corner flag despite a gritty tackle from an opposition player. Benji Horn then saw his chance and some nimble foot work saw him run a zig zag path to reach the try line unhindered.
On a small pitch that demanded close contact and fast physical play, and with no substitutes available, Paignton began to show the effects of tiredness against a fresher Home squad. Despite this their relentless efforts earned them their third and final try.
Finn Musgrove’s tenacious play then secured his second try of the match and gave good reason for the ‘Man of the Match’ title, followed closely by his hat trick just short of the final whistle.
Whilst it tended to be the more experienced players that touched down to score the tries, echoing last week’s excellent team work, all played their part. Scott Acheson was noticeable for some indomitable tackles and the defending play of Dan Brooks and newer members Ryan Langson, Solomon, Dylwin Bichot and Dylan Foster, gave the Paignton team much to rile against. Oliver Sturdy put in a sound performance in his last match for the Under 10s; a superb starting run setting in motion one of Exmouth earlier tries.
The final score of 45 vs 15 to the Home team belied Paignton’s strength throughout the game, but Exmouth’s strength in numbers took advantage of a tiring squad in the second half to drive up the score. A fantastic game on which to go into the Christmas break