Bideford Rugby club pulled out all the stops for the Plate and Cup finals. The pitch had clearly been worked, the hospitality was flowing, the sun shining, and the scene was set for a cracking game of rugby. For the Plate Final, both Kingsbridge and Exmouth were low in numbers due to the holidays/injuries and therefore substitute players were low to non-existent in number.

There is something about this Exmouth team. They start slow and improve throughout the game. Well, they certainly had the coaches worried for the first 15 minutes. Their slow start allowed Kingsbridge deep into their 22. Exmouth’s defence held firm and after many phases in close quarters to the goal line Exmouth finally got a break and moved play into the Kingsbridge end. The next 20 minutes of rugby saw possession change hands frequently with both teams digging deep in defence and with the attacking team bring a relentless onslaught of phase play. Great physical rugby from all. Exmouth dominated the scrum until late in the first half when sadly Kingsbridge lost one of their front row to injury and scrums went uncontested from there on in.

Kingsbridge proved to be a strong side, quick into the rucks and keen to steal the ball. With possession swapping back and forth Exmouth got a break and found themselves within 5meters of the Goal line. This time it was Kingsbridge whose defence was tested. An Exmouth scrum on the 5m line and a fantastic miss pass by Lilah Mardle straight into the hands of Sophie Piper who dotted it down in the corner. A long difficult conversion followed which fell short of the posts. 5 – 0. Exmouth were firing on all cylinders now and play made its way back into the Kingsbridge 22. It looked like Milly Fisher had scored however it was judged by the ref to be held up. Kingsbridge managed to get a try back on the stroke of half time, with the conversion missed - 5-5 at the break.

A bit of slog again as the second half began, another strong defence then a brilliant turn over 10 meters back from Kingsbridge 22 and the ball was quickly moved out to Sophie Piper who fended off the first couple of defenders to leave her room to run it in behind the posts. Conversion successful for Laila Ghanmi. 12-5. Exmouth retained much of the possession, and a lot of action very close to the Kingsbridge try line. Short range pick and go’s galore and we were certain Chloe Bailey had placed the ball on the line, but held up signalled the ref. Kingsbridge got themselves back in the game with a try in the corner. The conversion was not to be on this occasion. 12-10. This time it was Kingsbridge with possession. Hearts racing and nerves starting to build as Kingsbridge looked to batter their way to the try line with persistence and looking to move the ball out wide. A strong defence again from Exmouth forced an error, resulting in a Exmouth scrum on their own5m Line. Quick hands from Lilah at Scrum half, for a Sophie special. Sophie Coombes at Fly half feeding the ball to Sophie Piper. A hand off and a sidestep, she’s finally bought down. Ball secured and Exmouth move through the phases slowly moving away from the danger zone. Multiple phases down the right hand side of the pitch. The ball comes loose Kingsbridge scramble to score, knock on, Exmouth scrum. Once again, the ball comes out, Lilah passes to Sophie Coombes who is racing up and catches the ball at pace, good vision and great hands see the pass going out wide and left to a rampaging Sophie Piper keen for her hat-trick. She had to work for it running 90 plus meters, beating multiple defenders, and dotting it down. 17-10 and only 5 minutes of play left. The conversion by Laila was on target but fell just short of the posts.

The Exmouth team seemed determined to keep the supporters who had made the 90 minute trip up to North Devon on the edges of their seats. From the restart a couple of errors and Kingsbridge are well into the Exmouth 22. Three minutes left to play, Kingsbridge know they need to score to stay in the game. As was the case throughout the game Exmouth defence stood up to the pressure and as Kingsbridge look to make a break down their right wing they are piled into touch, Exmouth Lineout 7 meters from their goal line. The clock has been ticking. The ball s thrown in an secured by Exmouth before being kicked into the stands as the final whistle sounds. WINNERS, 17-10.

An exhausted yet elated Exmouth team cheer and congratulate each other then spot Anna, who broke her ankle on the same pitch 2 weeks ago, hobbling over and they run to embrace her and celebrate with her. A reminder that it is every player who has played for Exmouth under 16 girls this seasons that got us to this place and that it’s all about being part of something bigger, a team.

EXMOUTH RUGBY are always keen to introduce both experienced and new players to the game. We have girls’ teams covering school years 6-13. For more info contact Darren Fisher @ dazzyf@aol.com

Report/Darren Fisher

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