Exmouth 39 - 14 Honiton

The Cockles were coming into this league match with high hopes to continue their winning streak in the Devon Merit Table. It only took five minutes for Exmouth to open up the score board, with Joe Parkin using quick thinking to go over from a tap penalty and to score the first of six tries.

Exmouth were quickest out of the blocks after the restart with fast open rugby and startled the visitors. Excellent control by the Exmouth forwards gave the backs a good platform to work off. Another try was scored in quick succession with a break by Shaun Fayter through Honiton’s defence; leading to fast handling along the backs for a run-in by Lloyd Murrin in the corner. Fayter converted.

With poor discipline from Honiton, Exmouth gained good field territory. At 15 minutes a lineout move lead to quick hands from captain Sam Bull to put Ben Waistell over making the score 17-0. Shaun Fayter added the extra two points with the conversion.

Yet ill discipline by the home team gave Honiton the chance to get on the scoreboard. However, they failed to land a penalty kick and instead gave Exmouth a lucky break to again be on the counter attack. The tables turned as this time it was Exmouth’s chance to have shot at goal, with fly-half Shaun Fayter booting Exmouth a stage closer to victory. Just before half time, Exmouth could have added further.  A loose ball gave Ben Waistell the chance to go over for his second. However, under pressure from the sliding Honiton defence he failed to ground the ball over the line at the stroke of half time.

After the break Exmouth continued with ferocious intensity, with Dan Macleod stepping through the line to score under the posts. This brought the score to 29-0 with things looking grim for the travelling side. However, Honiton showed their mettle and now it was time for them to strike back. Honiton pressure paid off and broke through, up till then, had been a solid Exmouth defence leading to a try by the visitors.

Exmouth responded with a try by Tim Green out wide after a scrum was taken against the head by Tom Parry.  Despite the period of pressure this made the task of a Honiton comeback less likely. With an excellent cross field kick, collected by Kevin Rodwell, Exmouth were determined that 34 points was not enough. A good passage of forward play, lead to Shaun Fayter crossing over for an easy touch down.

But Honiton were not prepared to lay down the fight.  They ended the match on a high note scoring a second try in the last play. 

Although another clinical display by this promising Exmouth the contribution made by Honiton made for an entertaining afternoon with both sides showing their strengths and potential for the future with the score line finishing 39-14. 

Two of Exmouth’s squad represented Devon in last weeks annual encounter with Cornwall.  The players were Sam Bull and Ben Waistell.  Both made impressive contributions to a very tight game that Devon won 16-9.