Exmouth 24 - 12 Torquay
Early rain had left the Imperial Ground quite slippery underfoot but it took the Cockles just seven minutes to demonstrate that given the ball in space they will score tries. Matt Hopper had worked the ball to within metres of the Torquay line before he was bundled into touch. When Exmouth turned over the Torquay lineout Hopper came screaming through to touch down under the posts. Richard Cadywould kicked the conversion to post a seven point lead.
Exmouth continued to play in Torquay’s half and with twelve minutes on the clock they went further ahead. Tony Emmins started things off by winning the ball at a Torquay lineout and he powered forward. When a Torquay player infringed Richard Cadywould punted the penalty kick to the Torquay 22. Quick ball from the lineout gave Gary Hooper space to operate, Jack Downie carried it on and passing out of the tackle Dale Sleeman was on hand to outpace the Torquay defence to score. Cadywould’s attempt to convert deserved better but it just shaded the posts. The Cockles seemed to be in control but over the next five minutes Torquay started to work the ball forward. The Tics captain and No 10, Ben Passenger, had kicked forward and with their speedy winger lurking Matt Hopper had no option but to kick the ball out ten metres from his own line. The Torquay lineout was safe and the drive took No 8 Jon Arnold over to score close in. Matt Jackson added the points and at 12pts-7 the visitors were back in the game.
This stung Exmouth back into action and a couple of penalties and Cadywould’s boot took the Cockles to within ten metres of the Torquay line. The put in at the lineout was pin point allowing quick ball to Dale Sleeman whose short flat pass found Matt Hopper on his shoulder at unstoppable pace. The fullback scored his second try, Cadywould converted and Exmouth were back in control at 19pts – 7 which they carried to half time.
Within ten minutes of the restart a Torquay player was sent to the bin by Referee Adam Friend and Exmouth capitalised immediately. The penalty kick was punted to within metres of the Torquay line, Dale Sleeman broke the Torquay defence and Paul Morgan finished things off. With the score at 24pts –7 it appeared to be curtains for Torquay but their pedigree is such that they kept battling away and when Exmouth messed up a lineout after twenty five minutes the scrum put the Tics in a scoring position. Winger Ben Dommett finished off scoring wide out and at 24pts – 12 Exmouth were not out of sight. Moments later all Torquay’s good work was undone when another of their players was sin binned and with ten minutes of play remaining, Exmouth had no real problem in defending their lead until the final whistle.
Torquay Athletic arrived at the Imperial Ground one of five clubs who were drawing away in the promotion battle for the South West 2 (West) title. Following this defeat, and now eight points adrift they have a lot to do to keep contact with the leaders and with Clevedon slipping back by losing to neighbours Yatton the pressure on the other three has eased to an extent. The real shock was third placed Taunton losing at home to Newton Abbot and they will not relish having to travel to Barnstaple this weekend to play a rearranged fixture postponed earlier in the season. Exmouth have a rest from League rugby on Saturday but after last weekend’s results they are four points ahead of second placed Barnstaple, who have the one game in hand, and seven ahead of Taunton. Barnstaple, the only side to beat Exmouth in the League this season, are due to visit the Imperial Ground at the end of January.