Weston-super-Mare 9 - 17 Exmouth

Exmouth made the short trip to Weston Super Mare on Saturday confident of securing their first win on the road this season against a Weston side level on league points with the Cockles outfit.

 
With a vocal following of Cockles supporters and a firm pitch an upset looked possible. 4 minutes in the first spanner in the works was the Loss of Flanker Joe Heaver with a leg strain, bringing Andrew Smith into the action slightly earlier than expected, to be fair the Welshman did not disappoint despite a long lay off from the game.

 
Weston took and early lead with a James Mackay penalty, but then lost Flanker Gavin Simpson  for the game who saw fit to stamp in front of the referee on a prone Cockles player.The cockles looked dangerous in attack Matt Ryan going closest as the referee was unsighted as the wing went over, but missed penalty kicks and a failure to finish other chances didn't help the cause. Twice Weston ventured into the Cockles half and twice they left with points from the boot of Mackay. With a player in the bin the cockles endured to see out the half to trail by 9.

 
The first few minutes of the second half also failed to inspire until a quicker phase of play seemed to kick start the Cockles, good hands in the midfield from Ben Boswell and Mark Wathes put Jack Downie away in the corner, Shaun Fayters conversion drifting wide. Minutes later Boswell was held up over the line as the Cockles restricted the homeside to their own 22 and increased the intensity of the game. The Cockles ball carriers smashed holes throughout the Weston defence, while Fullback Andrew Powell kicked territorially well.

 
It came as little surprise that the forwards laid the platform for the next try, a catch and drive with a number of backs involved resulted in a Boswell touchdown clear for all to see. Powell despite the heckling added the extras to give a 3 point lead, and Weston lost another player to the bin.

 
More pressure told in the remaining 10 minutes and only valiant Weston defence held the cockles out, with 2 minutes to go powerhouse prop Jack Andrew finished off a cross field move and effectively sealed the first away win of the season.

 
This week the Cockles have a long trip to face Maidenhead , struggling this season they will be sure to put up a stern test for the Cockles as the are desperate to win at home whilst a win for the Cockles is a must to continue the move up the table.