Exmouth 38 - 30 Maidenhead
National League rugby graced the Imperial ground for the first time in the clubs 135 year history on Saturday with the arrival of Maidenhead RFC for the Cockles first home game of the Season. Great weather and an appreciative crowd were then treated to an enthralling action packed game.
The homeside got of to a flying start talking quick ball in the visitors 22, Andrew Powell skipped through several defenders to score under the posts, Rich Cadywould converted. With play at a frenetic pace Maidenhead replied minutes later with a converted try to level the scores.
As the visitors were pushed back into their own half with the Cockles setpiece play working well, they were penalised for slowing the Cockles ball, twice Cadywould responded with successful kicks at goal.
With just 20 minutes gone a momentary lapse in concentration reminded all at the ground that Maidenhead were here to win and a second converted try taking them 1 point ahead.
The Cockles back row grew in strength over the second twenty and the second row of James Finnegan and Adam Wyllie made telling inroads. With play deep in the visitors half the threequarters stretched the defence to breaking point and Cadywould was on hand to score under the posts and convert to see the Cockles take a 20 - 14 lead into the break.
Maidenhead started the second half with a bang narrowly missing a chance to score out wide before a successful penalty gave them the just rewards. Almost on cue the Cockles responded. Successive lineout's were brought down on the visitors line, with a man in the sinbin the Cockles persevered and as the forwards drove over the line Skipper Garry Hooper touched down in the corner.
With play going from end to end in the searing heat it was a converted try for the visitors next. Minutes later Mark Wathes cut through the defence to score for the Cockles and secure a bonus point at the very least.
At 30 - 24 and twenty minutes on the clock it was all about who kept their cool. Maidenhead added two more penalties to one for the Cockles. Vitally however the homeside appeared to be closing the game down keeping the visitors deep in their own halfand denying them ball, whilst increasing the pressure with every play.
With only minutes to go the Cockles got the decisive score. Good interplay had taken the Cockles agonisingly close to a try time and again, quick ball from the forwards was spun one way then the next and Wathes capitalised to score. 8 points ahead, the final whistle gave the Cockles a maximum haul of 5 league points whilst the visitors left with nothing to show for their endeavour.
A good afternoon for the squad who will know that there is still plenty to be done over the coming weeks to build on this performance.