North Petherton 7 - 10 Exmouth

This was always going to be a tough ask playing a team with older more experienced players with Exmouth ‘blooding’ nineteen U17 players.

 
As expected the Somerset team started well dominating territory but sharing possession. Exmouth seemed to be on the back foot for much of the first quarter as they got used to playing with new team mates. The Cockles defended stoutly with some superb tackles from all quarters.

 
It wasn’t until the last play of the first quarter that a N Petherton five metre scrum allowed them to charge over for a converted try. The match was played as a trial and much of the side was changed for the second quarter. You would have expected the team to take a while to gel, but under Vice captain, Mark Roaches leadership Exmouth started taking the initiative using territory and attacking at every opportunity. Exmouth came close to scoring on several occasions but the experience of the Under 19 side repelled each attack. The Exmouth scrum was dominant throughout as was the lineout. Stand-in hooker Ash Reid showed great commitment and versatility in his role.

 
Howard Smith kicked a penalty to narrow the score and it stayed at 7-3 until the fourth quarter. The Exmouth Coaching staff were in awe of the performance of this young team. What ever combination of players they put on the field, the team never seemed to be weakened.  Every player excelled, both in attack and defence.

 
Dan McLeod had a good game at fly half and made an interception on his own 10 metre line and raced 40 meters before being overhauled, Luke Woodward back for his first game in 18 months after a knee reconstruction was in support and Exmouth nearly went ahead.  Ryan MacEachem made a barn storming run from the resulting ruck to charge over. McLeod converting the try.

 
MacEachem and Roach received the accolade of ‘man of the match’ for their outstanding contribution, but it could have gone to all of them.

 
The Colts start their Merit Table with a home match against Barnstaple on Saturday 5th September and things are looking promising.