Exmouth 23 - 15 OPM Jesters

OPM’s scored the first try after only 7 minutes when the outside center broke through the Exmouth backs. The OPM’s back line was very youthful compared with the elder statesmen of Exmouth and in the 28th minute they scored their second try.

After this wake-up call, the Exmouth pack, with far more frit than the visitors, started denying OPM’s any ball. From an offside decision, fly half Andrew Binmore obliged with the kick. The forwards were firing on all cylinders now and just before half-time, Jim Pallister touched down for Exmouth. With a 2 point deficit at half time, Exmouth soon got to grips with the task ahead.

From a ruck, Jim Nye slipped the ball to Binmore then to Mike Loaring, who timed the perfect pass to Simon Tate who jinked his way through to score a well deserved try. This put Exmouth in front for the first time in the match.

In the 30th minute, a missed tackle put OPM’s ahead with a try under the posts. A poor conversion attempt failed. Exmouth were 2 points behind with only 10 minutes of play left. The Exmouth forwards, who worked their socks off, were awarded a penalty just outside the away teams 22. Binmore obliged with the kick.

With minutes to go, a high ball into the OPM’s half bounced into the arms of a fortunate Binmore who only had to fall over the line for the match-winning try.