Berliner 17 - 43 Exmouth

After the pressure of their first season in South West 1 Exmouth Rugby Club flew to Germany for a bit of relaxation and their first fixture against Berliner RFC, one of seven clubs that are based around the capital city. The Berliner ground is about six miles from the centre of the City surrounded by woods with a lush playing surface ideal for tour rugby.

Captained by flanker Andrew Smith it was a pretty strong squad that travelled from Exmouth, a good mix with 1st XV experience and burgeoning youngsters.  The Berliner team was a good mix of experience and youth but from the kick off their young backs always looked vulnerable against a back division that has seen a lot of South West 1 experience this season.

With Roger Holman in charge with the whistle Andrew Binmore kicked off with little or no wind and when the ball was returned and failed to find touch Cady brought his backs into play. Nathan Budd took the ball on fed Neil Hooper and with two minutes played Jack Downie scored his first try. With just five minutes played Exmouth turned over a Berlin scrum veteran Simon Tate found Mark Wathes who made the break and Neil Hooper scored the second try which he converted himself.

A cricket score looked on the cards but the Berlin defence worked hard to keep in the game but a loose kick from their full back was caught by Richard Cadywould and he ran from his own half to score, Mike Loveridge added the points The Berlin heads were beginning to drop and with just minutes to go to half time Jack Downie ran from halfway to score, converting with a natty drop goal. Roger Holman blew his whistle with Exmouth leading 26pts – nil.

Things did not start well for the Germans when Jack Downie caught the ball from the restart, made ground and Richard Cadywould was on hand to score, converting his own try. Berlin responded with a solitary attack but messed up with the line at their mercy. With five minutes played Jack Westlake fooled everybody with a dummy to take the score to 38pts and immediately on the restart Ricky Croal got on the score sheet and converted his own try to post a 43pts - nil scoreline.

The pace of the game was now starting to have its effect and the younger Berlin players were beginning to make holes in the Exmouth defence and over the next ten minutes, their back row put together some good moves and scored all their points. Trainer Keith Pyne responded by making some tactical changes, the flow was stemmed and the Berlin side had to be content with the 43pts -17 scoreline.