In a generous mood our COCKLES gave up 33 points to hosts Matson RFC, on the road in Gloucester. The boys did hit back with a super 48 of their own, to take the bonus point win.

Matson play a robust game and used it to their advantage, at least 3 times, simple penalty errors handed a lineout with driving maul to Matson to score, with an interception just after the break, the Gloucester side thought they were in control. A feature of The COCKLES this season is their absolute determination & skill to play great rugby and entertain. Tries from Charlie Dore & Liam Bayley with two conversions and two penalties from George Meadows, ensured the visitors went into the break 21-20 down. Both tries from great interplay from the forward pack, the second from a catch by Joe Harris from our own restart, his offload to Bobby Pond, recycled through Charlie Gibbings, flat line break pass to Liam, to sprint in, all with a side-step thrown in.

After the restart, Matson took a chance & increased their lead to 28-20 from the interception. The COCKLES were in no mood to sit back. A twenty-five minute blitz, with tries from Charlie Gibbings, Nick Headley, Toby Papp masquerading as a winger & then Oli Cave, took the COCKLES out of sight. Meads hit another four conversions, he didn’t miss a strike all afternoon, eighteen point haul. With a few positional changes due to injury, Exmouth were adaptable and used forwards in the backs to complete the game. A little disjointed, Matson did run in one last late try. Final score 33-48. The front row were immense, against some top level lads, our whole forward pack kept us in the game. COCKLES backs stretched the Matson defence & wore them down.

A fabulous game to watch for spectators, EXMOUTH 1ST TEAM showed across the playing squad why they have competed at the top of the league. Other results mean they can finish no higher than 3rd this season. A Top 3 finish is something to be proud of, for the whole club.

WATCH MATSON GAME HIGHLIGHTS HERE

The final round of the Regional 1 South West season is on Saturday 5th April. EXMOUTH 1ST TEAM host local club Sidmouth RFC, new to the league this term, they have enjoyed a strong season. A warm welcome awaits visitors to The Royal Avenue. Great local rugby and hospitality for all to enjoy. Kick off at 2.30 pm.
______________________________________________________

COCKLES QUINS outgunned a strong Topsham RFC 2nd Team, winning 38-22. A lively Exmouth squad got five valuable league points, against an outfit who were on a winning run, halted by their neighbours. NOMADS went down 58-7 to Topsham RFC 3rd Team, with COCKLES COLTS losing out 38-7 at Torquay Athletic.

EXMOUTH COLTS now head to the quarter-final of the Devon Shield on Saturday 5th April, on the road to Paignton RFC Colts.

Join us where you can.

#COCKLES