Newton Abbot 17 - 48 Exmouth

Exmouth were just too strong and well organised for the Newton Abbott U13 home team on a frosty, bright january morning. Winning the toss Cockles decided to receive the kickoff. The ball landed in the hands of Simon Hartery who thundered straight up the pitch to score in under 30 seconds.

Unsettling the home team, the Cockles grouped well and their forwards were always first to the breakdown. With the backrow securing ball, a good field position left a gap on the blindside for Elliot Rice to capitalise for the second score on 6 mins. Involving the full team, the midfield was controlled expertly by Brad Neilsen, whose kicking game was turning the home team inside out.

On 13 mins a kick over the top saw Danny Sansom chase through and hack on to score number 3 which Nielsen converted. Still dominant, the Cockles continued to push on, securing another truck, the ball squeezed up for Hartery who once again covered the length of the pitch to score, Nielsen converting. The Cockles were very much in command and having it all their own way. Switching across the field, a passage of play that saw almost every player touch the ball was finished by Joe Goode and converted by Neilsen.

After anther period of pressure, a loose kick put Newton Abbott in a good position from which they scored. Not happy with this the Cockles went back up field from the restart which resulted in a touchline sprint for Hartery's third. Half time score, 5-36 and with Exmouth making a number of changes the game's dynamics changed for 15 mins allowing Newton Abbott to score twice, with one conversion.

Regaining composure the Cockles team reestablished command, with 2 quick succession trys from Hartey to bring his tally to 5, the pick coming from a chip over the top from Sansom, and a last minute score from Goode. The final whistle cme with the scorecard recording Newton Abbott 17 - 48 Exmouth, a very deserved score from a cohesive squad that on the day played as a team to secure a comprehensive win. Man of the match went to Danny Sansom.