Newton Abbot 7 - 18 Exmouth

The Exmouth seconds travelled to Newton Abbott on Saturday to resume their merit table challenge, with gale force winds and torrential rain the game was not likely to be full of open rugby.

 
Exmouth started the game facing the wind and rain and showed their intent from the off, the forwards took control of the ball, with only three minutes on the clock they drove Newton Abbott from the half way line into their 22 metre area where Newton Abbott gave away a penalty for off side, the ball was kick into touch about ten metres from the Newton line. The ball was cleanly taken from the lineout and drove over for Dave Wellbeloved to score the try.

Four minutes played and Exmouth were in the lead by 5 points to nil and showing how rugby should be play in these conditions, however from the kick off the players decided to change tactics and for the next 20 minutes play open running rugby which didn't work, the ball was continually being dropped there was wild and miss passes being given which enabled Newton to put Exmouth under pressure for long periods of the first half, until with about 10 minutes of the half remaining several of the forwards took control of the ball and tightened the game up, not allowing Newton Abbott any possession which enabled Exmouth to go into half time after playing into the gale 5 points to nil up.

 
Exmouth kicked off to start the second half and showed their intent, with the forwards dominating Exmouth put Newton under pressure, so much so that for the first ten minutes of the second Newton were unable to get out off their half. With 12 minutes played Dave Wellbeloved went over for the second of his tries, after a series of forward drives he stayed wide on the blind side where he received the ball and powered over the Newton line to score, Exmouth 10 Newton 0. From the Newton kick off the Exmouth forwards applied the pressure again and within minutes were awarded a penalty, which Dean Chislling dually stepped up and converted, Exmouth 13 Newton Abbott 0.

Shortly after the restart the Newton Abbott front row lost their hooker through injury, having no front row replacement meant that scrums had to go to uncontested scrummaging, which meant Exmouth lost some of their dominance in the scrummage and allowed Newton Abbott a platform to work from with out the fear of being pushed backwards in the scrums. Both sides did try to play some open running rugby which often lead to mistake being made which in turn lead to more uncontested scrums.
It took until the fortieth minute of the half for Exmouth to come up with their third try, a terrific drive by the forwards from the Newton 10 metre line all the way to their try line where winger Nathan Budd lent his bulk to the drive and went over the line to score Exmouth 18 Newton 0.

 
With the game coming to an end and most of the player thinking about the hot showers Newton scored a break away try in the 48th minute to make the final score Exmouth 18 Newton Abbott 7