Barnstaple 20 - 11 Exmouth
The Exmouth RFC 2nd team resumed their league rugby with an away trip to Barnstaple for a must win game to stand any realistic chance of staying in touch with league leader Torquay. Unfortunately for Exmouth within 10 minutes of the start found themselves conceding a converted try 7 - 0 to Barnstaple, within minutes Exmouth replied with a penalty from fly half Ed Kirk 7 - 3 to Barnstaple.
The game was played at pace by both teams using the ball well with some well executed moves, ball skills and resolute defending, which showed in the score line with both teams being awarded only one kickable penalty each, which gave a half time score of Barnstaple 10 - Exmouth 6.
From the second half restart Barnstaple came out of the blocks the better, hitting Exmouth hard and fast for the first ten minutes. But for some excellent defending by Exmouth the score line could have been a lot worse Barnstaple could only manage a penalty from all the pressure, 13 - 6 to Barnstaple. With in minutes of the Exmouth restart Barnstaple hit hard and fast again this time coming away with a try, 20 - 6 to Barnstaple.
Things were starting to look grim for Exmouth as Barnstaple again pilled on the pressure, then came for Exmouth a stroke of luck against the run of play hooker Dave McCarthy went over for a try, unfortunately Ed missed the conversion, 20 - 11 to Barnstaple. This was the start of Exmouth revival the slowly took control of the game applying pressure on Barnstaple from all areas of the pitch but to no avail they could not cross Barnstaple try line, which left a final score of Barnstaple 20 Exmouth 11.