Old Patesians 26 - 30 Exmouth

Prior to this result, Old Patesians had an outside chance of getting a play-off spot for promotion to National Two rugby next season, but four tries from centre Mark Wathes and ten points from fly-half Nick Grant secured the Cockles their third victory on the road and fifth win from the last seven games.

For the first fifteen minutes Exmouth matched their hosts in all departments with both sides’ defences repelling all advances; the only scoring opportunities came from missed penalty chances. Grant’s long range attempt dropped short and then Old Pats’ number ten, Adam Seager kicked his effort wide of the uprights.

Old Pats broke the deadlock; their pack muscled forward through a number of phases taking the ball to the Cockles 22 before setting their backs away. Quick movement to the right wing put Henry Bird into the corner for an unconverted try. Exmouth soon reduced the deficit; awarded a penalty on their own ten metres line, Old Pats spoke out of turn and the referee Dino Maddern marched play to the halfway line. Grant’s second long range kick dissected the uprights, but the margin was soon put back to five points when Exmouth went offside at the restart and Seager slotted over his first success of the day.

Exmouth attacked the restart; regained possession when hands were used in a ruck. Garry Hooper took a quick tap penalty, made the initial break before off-loading to Wathes who outpaced the defence to score; Grant added the conversion. Old Pats responded with an excellent running move that nearly saw left wing Will Topps score, but he dropped his pass with the line at his mercy. Exmouth were allowed the advantage but failed to gain much territory and were once again penalised, this time for not releasing in the tackle; to add to their punishment flanker Joe Heaver was yellow carded.

The penalty kick was punted to the corner; from the lineout Old Pats’ forwards drove at pace to the line and number eight Brett Harvey touched down. Exmouth immediately drew level when a high tackle gave Grant the opportunity to convert the penalty and then the Cockles took the lead. Mark Wathes leapt to retrieve the restart kick, juggled with the ball before he had it under control, and then ran straight through the Old Pats’ defence to the posts to score his second try; Grant’s conversion made the interval score 13-20.

Old Pats started the second half with a determination that saw Exmouth concede ten points in the first six minutes. Seager kicked a penalty, then after a series of rucks that took play to the Exmouth 22, he finished off an excellent running move, touching down near the posts, and added the conversion.

As the game went into the fourth quarter Exmouth regained the lead; stealing the ball from an Old Pats’ maul, Hooper again made a break then set Wathes on his way. A clever run saw him score in the corner and Exmouth were up by two points. That is how the score stayed as injury time approached, when the Cockles’ in discipline gave Seager another penalty to edge Old Pats in front.

Exmouth kicked the restart deep into Old Pats territory; their fullback Chris Howells returned the ball to the Cockles’ half where it was gathered by Chris Strong. He ran the ball back before being tackled; at the ruck Old Pats were penalised for drifting offside then marched back another ten metres by the referee for dissent. With the game virtually over, Exmouth opted for the scrum and quick ball was moved to Wathes whose strong run took him to the corner for his fourth try. As soon as Grant’s conversion flew wide of the posts the referee ended the game; the Cockles were 26-30 winners.