Exmouth 17 - 18 Bracknell

Back in October when Exmouth travelled to Berkshire they received a bit of a mauling at the hands of Bracknell but following a decent run of games the Cockles were looking forward to the first visit of the second placed side to the Imperial Ground. With player coach, former Wasps and England International, Chris Sheasby, in charge, they showed Exmouth due respect by travelling down the previous afternoon to prepare for the Saturday fixture.Maybe this was a good decision as in some respects this was a cruel defeat for the Cockles who sustained some mighty pressure in the first half and at the end were the better side and minutes away from a worthy win.

With eighty minutes on the clock Exmouth were leading 17pts-15 but both players and supporters knew there was some added injury time and during that short period Bracknell took the lead and Exmouth saw a potential match winning penalty sail just left of the posts.

 
The weather was just right for a game of rugby when Exmouth kicked off and both sides traded penalties with Exmouth’s Ben Hough going close with a long range shot. Bracknell stepped up the tempo and although the pressure from the visitors saw the penalty count rise the Cockles defence was equal to the challenge. With twenty minutes of sustained pressure a Bracknell catch and drive try looked a certainty but an Exmouth turnover stopped it in its tracks.

The pressure continued and it was no real surprise when Bracknell were awarded a penalty on the half hour and Ben Nowak slotted the three points. Minutes later a strong run from deep by fullback John Bordiss took Exmouth into Bracknell’s 22 and when a penalty was awarded a levelling of the scores looked likely. Nick Grant’s kick was wayward but the Exmouth outside half  redeemed himself five minutes later when he broke from halfway and created space which put centre Dale Sleeman over for a try. The No 10 converted and the break arrived with Exmouth leading 7pts-3.

 
Having got back into the game the Cockles concentration deserted them and over a six minute period all the good work was undone and they shipped twelve points to trail 15pts- 7. Within three minutes of the restart Sheasby finished off a driving maul with a try which Nowak converted and on six minutes winger Stu Mackay finished off a move which had started with a penalty on halfway. At this point Bracknell might have put Exmouth to the sword but the Cockles responded and with the pack getting on top they started to look the better side.

A John Bordess run from deep went close and a knock on close to the line denied a certain try. The pressure finally told and with twenty minutes to play Nick Grant added a penalty. Exmouth continued to control the game and it was only a matter of time before they scored. Jack Downie looked to have scored but the referee judged the final pass to be forward but their reward finally came when Tom Elliot finished off a move following a tap penalty. Nick Grant converted and with five minutes plus injury to be played Exmouth took the lead 17pts-15.

With two minutes of injury played indiscipline gifted a penalty to Nowak in front of the posts to give Bracknell the lead and the final sting came two minutes later when Nick Grant’s more difficult penalty sailed just outside the posts with  the referee blowing  for time immediately after.