Redingensians 15 - 17 Exmouth

Back in October when Redingensians were early League leaders Exmouth were disappointed to be on the wrong end of a 24pts-19 scoreline. With improving performances over the past weeks, and with the Berkshire side now in mid table, the Cockles travelled to Sonning on Saturday with a belief that they could come away with a result. Although they left it late, they did just that, but having looked the better side for long periods of the game they made hard work of it in the process.

 
It was shirt sleeve order when right from the kick off fullback John Bordess attacked from deep to take play into the home half. With five minutes played Ben Hough just missed a long range penalty but minutes later Exmouth pinched a lineout from Ensians which set up an Adam Garner run to the line. Exmouth were awarded a scrum and with the ball passing through a number of hands Jack Downie scored wide out. Ben Hough made no mistake with the kick and the Cockles had taken a well deserved lead. Exmouth continued to look sharp outside but Ensians started to claw their way back and with half time approaching they started to look the better side.  Right on half time they got their just desserts when ‘Sid’ Matthews crossed over to score. Spike Chandler missed the conversion but with just two points separating the teams, the home side were back in the game and Exmouth trooped off knowing they should have put more points on the board.

 
Ensians carried their growing confidence into the second half and with three minutes played they turned over an Exmouth scrum on the 10 metre line. Exmouth went offside and Easians No 9 Sid Matthews took advantage of a napping defence to take a quick penalty and score under the posts. Spike Chandler kicked the conversion and at 12pts-7 they had the lead for the first time. Exmouth responded well and seven minutes later Ben Hough kicked through the Ensians defence, followed up the kick and scored close in converting his own try restoring their lead at 14pts-12.

It was now end to end stuff with both sides playing some attractive rugby. For Exmouth, James Finnegan was showing up well and his partner Dom O’Connor announced his return to the side with a classic steal of an Ensians lineout. The home side missed a kickable penalty on thirty minutes but when Ashley Stevens was penalised for holding, when he found himself isolated in his own 22, it looked all over for the Cockles With eighty minutes on the clock Spike Chandler kicked his side into the lead by 15pts-14. With flashbacks to the previous week against Bracknell, Exmouth were awarded a penalty minutes later with injury time ticking away. This time Ben Hough’s kick from close to the halfway line was inch perfect and sealed a win for Exmouth.

 
This weekend the Cockles have a double dose of rugby with League duty on Saturday away at Oxford Harlequins and on Sunday they entertain Newton Abbot at the Imperial Ground in the Quarter Final of the Devon Senior Cup.