Bournemouth 20 - 20 Exmouth

Confident that the squad had matured and perhaps become more accustomed to playing at this level, Exmouth made the trip to Bournemouth a side who had comprehensively beaten the Cockles both Home and away last Season with great expectations.
With a couple of changes to the starting XV Exmouth started brightly enough only to concede an early penalty and trail by 3. From the restart the Cockles took the game to the home side, the first few scrummages showing that the Cockles held the upper hand whilst winning good lineball gave the three-quarters the opportunity to stretch their hosts.

 
With much good work it was disappointing that the Cockles let in a try from deep, Bournemouth’s elusive fullback doing the damage before passing to the centre for a try under the posts.

 
A missed penalty did little to reward the Cockles for their hard work, and worse still having almost driven over the Bournemouth line another breakaway try saw the visitors 17 nil down. With the half drawing to a close Richard Cadywould reduced the deficit with a well struck penalty.

 
The second half saw a tactical change up front with Prop Jack Andrew taking over from Dan Manns, a move that had major consequences later in the game.

 
With Exmouth dominating the front row battle Bournemouth struggled to secure their own ball and looked increasingly under pressure.
A double substitution saw debutant Lee Loveridge and Paul Morgan give fresh impetus, good running from Garry Hooper and Andrew Powell then saw an unconverted try out wide for Mark Wathes.

 
Whilst going forward Exmouth looked the more positive side and despite another 3 points to the boot of the Home sides ten, it was definitely going the Cockles way.

 
Controversy then reigned, with a front row player injured Exmouth brought Dan Manns back onto the field only for the referee to not allow the player back on. During the close season there has been a number of rule changes to front row play, hence the confusion, alas not all the rules have changed, but this has gone somewhat undocumented. The result was Exmouth had to play 15 minutes a man short and without the benefit of contested scrums which they had clearly dominated.
Skipper Garry Hooper rallied his remaining men and they refused to give in.

 
Great interplay deep in the home 22 was rewarded with a try for wingman Morgan again the reliable boot of Cadywould failed him.
With time running out Morgan again came close as did Adam Hooper, wave after wave of Cockles attacks were repulsed but with men running out the Cockles turned to wing Jack Downie he crashed through the home side defence to score out wide. Cadywould who seems quite unflappable at times stepped up slotted the extras to draw the scores at 20 all.

 
Bournemouth seemed to wake from their slumbers and came back at the cockles but having secured two valuable points Exmouth were not to be defeated.

 
This was a cracking performance from the squad, a notable debut for 18 year old Dave Ewers who worked tirelessly throughout the game, in a pack of forwards who were a pleasure to support.

First two photographs by Denis Murphy