Torquay 25 - 13 Exmouth

Exmouth Quins came close to causing the holders of the Merit Table title Torquay their first defeat of the season but let the game slip away in the dying minutes.

 
The Quins took the lead straight from the kick off when winger Brad Perkins followed up the kick off and the forwards were at hand to secure the ball.  The ball was recycled quickly and fed along the three quarters for new-comer Olly Jones to score in the corner.  The long range conversion fell short.

The Tics bounced back after 5 minutes with a catch and drive try from 15 metres out, this conversion also fell short.

On the stroke of half hour, following some good interplay between the Exmouth forwards and backs, they were awarded a penalty which Jonny Boltrukiewicz duly slotted over to give Exmouth a 3 point lead.

Just before half time, Torquay launched one of their rare attacks into the Exmouth 22 which resulted in a converted try giving Torquay a 12 – 8 lead at the break.

The Quins continued to put together some good passages of play early in the second half.  This led to some fine darting runs both by Jones and Perkins supported by Olly Turton and Rich King.  After 15 minutes, a superb break by Perkins found Jones in support on the right wing only to be tackled just short of the line.  The Exmouth forwards were on hand to recycle the ball quickly for Dom O’Connor to sprint over the line for the try, the conversion fell short.  This gave Exmouth a 1 point lead.

 
The team held onto this lead until 6 minutes from time when Torquay broke free to score an unconverted try wide out.  Straight from the kick off, Torquay were awarded a scrum mid-field and following a short passage of play, the Torquay fly half dropped a goal giving them a 7 point lead.  
Exmouth succumbed to a further unconverted try right on time flattering the Torquay side.
 

There were some sterling performances from all the players but a lack of concentration in those closing minutes surely cost Exmouth the game.