Game 1: Exmouth 10 - 10 Topsham

Game 2: Exmouth 25 - 45 Topsham

It was good to be playing rugby again at home and though a little sticky underfoot in places, in general the conditions were just right. Topsham, well drilled as ever, had the lions share of the first half, gaining momentum through strong rucking and quick attacks. Exmouth’s Tom Cooke and Morgan Wright worked tirelessly to keep the score down to just two Tops tries before the break.

The second half and Exmouth showing resolute character dug deep and refused to roll over. Quick to the breakdown and now staring to secure some decent ball they slowly started edging their way back in. Substitute Joseph Oates, briefed only to ruck hard, came on and combined with Sam Fulthorpe’s strength earned a few turnovers. Ethan Langson Justice with a little more clean ball, unable to get wingers Callum Cross and Will Tidball involved, began popping the ball up for quick thinking Ollie Toomey who twice saw the space inside and crossed to level the score.

The second game was altogether more open. Tries were being run in at a great rate and Topsham looked like running away with it. Jakes’ Devine, Ford and Max McConaghy were constantly in the mix and their determination allowed Hugo Flynn to clean up and spectacularly dive over for his score.

Joseph Stevens, Josh Wibberley and Aiden Wilmot all put in good displays, but Ieuan Kidd’s dogged tackling earned him the best Tackler of the day. Both Joseph Oates and Zach Higginson made great head way when they came on to shore up the forwards, Higginson grabbing the last try, whilst Oates’s efforts earned him “team player” of the day plus a hat-trick of tries.