Barton Hill 25 - 40 Exmouth

Following the previous week’s Cup sojourn to Bracknell it was back to League duty for leaders Exmouth, travelling to Bristol knowing that a win would give them a four point lead over Barnstaple. The second place side were having a rest day because their opponents, third placed Taunton, had to play a postponed Cup game with Cheltenham which was washed out the previous week. Whilst Exmouth looked the part for most of the first half they let their concentration slip early in the second and had to step it up a bit in the latter stages to bring home the points. Barton Hill have some useful players in key positions and for a period gave the leaders something to think about but in the end Exmouth were simply the better side.

The game couldn’t have started better for the Cockles as they were seven points up within minutes of the kick off. Andy Smith secured the ball from the Barton Hill kick off; he powered down field from halfway and when he was held up close to the line Gary Hooper was on hand to go under the posts. Richard Cadywould kicked his side into an 8pts lead. Playing downhill with the elements in their favour the Cockles looked good for a big score but the first scrum reminded them that Barton Hill are no pushovers After five minutes play, when the pressure came on, the Cockles infringed on their 10 metre line and the Barton Hill No 10 Matt Richards made the penalty kick look easy and he narrowed the score to 7pts-3. The game continued between the 22’s, with one or two niggles adding to the occasion, and it took a Jack Downie surge to get the Cockles in a scoring position. Barton Hill were penalised on their own 22 and Exmouth moved on to a 10pts-3 lead, courtesy of Richard Cadywould’s boot. Five minutes later the Exmouth kicker showed he can play rugby as well when a break took him through the home defence and Mark Wathes, in support, finished off with a try. Cadywould was on song and his conversion took the score to 17pts-3 and he kept the score ticking over when he struck a penalty three minutes later to take the Exmouth tally to 20pts. Things were beginning to become a little fraught and whilst a little fracas was taking place on halfway a quick penalty closer to the Exmouth line, produced a try for Barton’s Adam May. With the score at 20pts-8, and Exmouth deservedly ahead, the referee’s whistle for half time came just at the right time.

Exmouth kicked off the second half, up hill against the elements, and within minutes a run by Gary Hooper was halted in its tracks by a high tackle. Cadywould obliged and the score moved on to 23pts-8. Barton Hill were now starting to put more pressure on the Exmouth pack and thoroughly deserved a score when after seven minutes Hoss Seabourne followed up a kick ahead and scored a try. Matt Richards converted and when he kicked a penalty three minutes later, and closed the score difference to only five points, Barton Hill were back in the game. Jack Downie took matters in hand minutes later and ran from halfway, brushing off countless defenders to score the try that was probably the turning point for the Cockles. Leading 28pts-18 Exmouth now had a cushion but the home pack was still giving Exmouth a few problems but it was two front five men who provided the support when fullback Matt Hopper started a run up field. First Ed Baxter took the ball to the Barton Hill line and when stopped, he passed out of the tackle to Martin Westaway who ploughed over to score and put the result beyond any real doubt. With the clock running down and the Exmouth pack feeling the pressure the referee had no option but to award a penalty try against them which Matt Richards converted. Any thoughts of a last gasp win by the home side were soon dashed when Gary Hooper picked up from the back of the scrum and outpaced the defence to score under the posts right on time. Richard Cadywould converted to post a 40pts-25 score and give the Cockles that 4pts lead over the chasers.