Exmouth 19 - 24 Redingensians

Redingensians RFC travelled from Sonning in Berkshire as undefeated League leaders and although the Cockles were again on the wrong end of the score they will know that they created enough opportunities to have won this entertaining game of rugby. They have now played four of the top sides in the League and although there may be concerns about the penalty count and their need to create more attacking lines there is ample evidence to suggest that they can live at this level.

 
The Cockles took the gamble to play with the strong wind in the first half and although they had a narrow lead at half time they could have had a bigger cushion had they taken their opportunities when they were the better side. Gary Hooper, who played a real captain’s role throughout, showed his talent with a run from one 22 to the other only to be matched by visiting centre Seb Reynolds who was hauled down just short of the line. With just fifteen minutes played the mounting Exmouth penalty count was punished by referee Dino Maddern of the Glos RRS when he sin binned full back Tom Elliott. To their credit the Cockles were not phased by being a player down and they continued to get their set pieces right and when hooker Ed Baxter skilfully fielded a high ball the following play produced a penalty shot. The strong wind did not help and the ball went wide.

The restart by the visitors was well returned by Matt Ryan and when a Redingensians player was yellow carded another opportunity to kick three points was missed. Exmouth kept the pressure on , new boy Nick Grant, having his first run out at 10, tried a drop kick and Richard Cadywould playing at centre weaved his way through the Redingensians defence only to be held up short of the line. The pressure was mounting and when another Redingensians player was carded close to their own line Exmouth opted for a scrum and Chris Strong capped a fine personal performance when he touched down the pushover try. Richard Cadywould converted and Exmouth thoroughly deserved their 7pts-nil lead. They should have pushed on from there but with half time beckoning a poor defensive option gifted the ball to visiting winger Juao Costa, and the Portuguese International scored an unconverted try wide out.

 
Exmouth now had to face the strong wind still blowing in from the river and with only six minutes played Redingensians gained the lead through another try by Costa. Will Matthews slotted another penalty shortly after and when moments later only a knock on prevented another score the Cockles were looking a bit shaky. From the scrum, on their own line, Exmouth relieved the pressure by kicking to touch. The Redingensians lineout was a bit scrappy and from open play Gary Hooper pounced on the ball and ran 75 yards to score close in. Richard Cadywould converted and Exmouth were back in the lead at 14pts-13.

Exmouth then conceded three penalties in the next five minutes, the last of which Matthews converted and with three quarters of the game played Redingensians were back in the lead 16pts-14.  With fifteen minutes of the game remaining Gary Hooper again took the attack to the Redingensians line but when he was stopped a visitors’ counter attack took them to the Exmouth line. In defending Exmouth knocked on and from the scrum Gavin Marsh crashed over. This was probably the killer blow but when another penalty right in front of the posts, gifted three points to Redingensians the game was over. The 24pts-14 score line did not reflect the Cockles effort and right on time Cockles flanker John Bird scored a try to bring some consolation.