Exmouth 17 - 0 Newton Abbot

After last week’s Devon Merit table win over Crediton, Newton Abbott were the visitors to the Imperial ground this week in a friendly. This was the team’s second meeting of the season and with Exmouth coming out the victors last time, they wanted a repeat win over the travelling side.

With a solid start to the game, by both teams, this was looking like it was going to be a tough encounter. Exmouth’s forwards were excellent in the set piece with secure rucks and well-structured lineout’s to give the backs a good platform to work off. Among the Cockles side were some new faces and players playing out of position. The strength in depth at the club, gave Exmouth the chance for some new variations in the starting XV.

Dan Macleod, usually inside centre, tried his hand at scrum-half to pair up with familiar face, Shaun Fayter at fly half. A new centre combination of Adam Morris and Tim Green were good in attack and very solid in defence keeping the visitors from scoring throughout the game. Exmouth’s first real attack of the game, gave them the chance to go 3-0 up, after some poor discipline from ‘The All Whites’.

Despite some continued pressure in attack, by the Cockles, they could not break through the Newton Abbot defence. Gritty forward play at rucks and in the backline, tested the visitors defence skills and patience. Sam Bull played a captains game with great drive and power in attack.

However, not everything was going the home team’s way with the visitors making counter attacks and showed signs of promising running rugby. Still, they could not break through the Exmouth’s side’s great defence.  Leading the way was full-back Sam Reid who put his body on the line throughout the game with some hard hits to protect Exmouth goal line. Tom Caygill was another who shone with excellent line-out work and ever present around the field.

At half time it remained 3-0 to the home team, as they made some changes to the team. With 15 minutes played of the second half, Exmouth finally got the try they deserved. With the forwards breaking through each ruck, and making valuable yardage, the backs finally picked the right moment to strike. Great handling among the backs fed Lewis Vaughan to cross the line, and with a fine conversion from fly-half, Fayter, bought the score up to a more respectable 10-0.

From the kick off, Exmouth were keen that 10-0 was not enough. A great take by hooker Tom Parry, gave him the chance for a dart through the visitors defence. This resulted in a great offload to Adam Morris to launch another attack. Working hard around the pitch, Man of the match flanker Ty Tuckett, showed great defensive work and good attacking drive.

Now with one final blow, Exmouth’s captain Sam Bull was driven over the line to score the second try of the match. Shaun Fayter again added the extras to give a final score of 17-0 to the Cockles. This was a great chance for Exmouth’s promising side to experiment with different players.  It was a very entertaining match to watch and continues a very positive season for Exmouth Colts.