Exmouth RFC Vets Tournament

Crediton secured their first victory in the 11th Exmouth Vets Tournament in a thrilling final with a win over Ivybridge by 17 points to 10 points.

This year, 7 teams took part in this annual event which was played  with its usual competitiveness and spirit.  Recent rain to soften the ground was obviously very welcome by all the teams participating but the weather was kind on the day and a good time was had by both players and the many spectators.  The organizers had worked hard to get as many teams as possible this year but could only raise the 7 who played in 2 leagues made up of  4 teams in League 1 and 3 teams in League 2.

League 1 was Paignton, Crediton, and last years finalists Exmouth and Okehampton.  League 2 was Ivybridge, Totnes and newcomers Newton Abbot.

In League 1 the opening game saw Crediton run out easy winners over Paignton by 29 – 0.  The next game was Exmouth v Okehampton and in a closely fought game tries by Simon Wade and John Justice with a conversion by Alan Pyne but only one converted Okehampton try saw Exmouth win the game 12 – 7.

Paignton succumbed to their second defeat when they were beaten by Okehampton 17- 7.  The hosts second game was against a well drilled Crediton side who ran out easy victors by 33 – 7 with Exmouth’s try from Nick Southern converted by Alan Pyne.

Exmouth’s last game in their league saw them run out easy winners over Paignton by 41 – 5.  Exmouth scorers were Dean Bywood, Mike Davison (2) Andrew Binmore (2) Bob Armstrong, and Ian Harris, with Andrew Binmore kicking 3 conversions.  However, this was not enough to put Exmouth through to the final as Crediton drew with Okehampton in their last game.

In League 2 Totnes and Ivybridge fought out a thrilling first game with Totnes winning by 14 – 12.  In their first game at the tournament, NewtonAbbot lost a keenly contested game against Totnes by 1 try to nil.  However, in their next game, Newton Abbot were easily defeated by Ivybridge by 38 – 0.  The last game in the group brought Totnes and Ivybridge together to decide the pool winner and Ivybridge won the game by 14 – 7.

Exmouth Chairman Chris Parks thanked the organizers of Stan Jordan, Chris Witkiss, Dave Radford, Jon Stone and Roger Holman for their hard work in organizing such a successful day.  The trophies, sponsored by Fahrenheit Nightclub were presented to the winners and runners up by Josh Drauninui and Dan Tuohy of Exeter Chiefs.

Exmouth RFC wish to thank the Devon Referees Society for providing referees for the day being Richard Steggall, Dan Gorfin,  Jim Grant, Cyril Illman and Joe Stanniford

Exmouth Squad:  R Croal (captain), I Jordan, I Urmston, I Harris, J O’Connell, G Price, M Davison, A Pyne, J Justice, R Armstrong, S Tate, A Binmore, N Smith, S Wade, K Daniels, T Rook, N Southern, D Bywood, S Ashley, R Nye

Action photos courtesy of Steve Townsend Photography