Action between Exmouth Cockles and the Old Pats at the Imperial ground on Saturday. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref exsp 4787-02-13SH To order your copy of this photograph go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on MyPhotos24.

Exmouth director of rugby Chris Wright was clear as to what the most positive thing to come out of the 29-11 win over Old Patesians was.

He said: “Getting the bonus point! After the festive break there was the worry of rustiness and it was evident. We have also had a real problem trying to train with all this recent wet weather. We do not have regular access to all-weather surfaces and so we’ve had to take out chances with the mud as and when. So to come through the game with a side who have traditionally caused us a problem or three in the past is very pleasing. It was also pleasing that the try scoring was shared around. It is always healthy to have tries coming from all over the pitch. It was a game I always felt confident we were going to win, but also one in which we failed to reach the levels that I know this group are capable of. It was more workman-like than technically pleasing on the eye!”

He continued: “The surface against Old Pats was not slippery. However, what it most certainly was, was tacky to such a degree that it gave no help to instant acceleration and so the players who like to use that in their armoury, and we have a few, were not able to do so.”

The Cockles director of rugby also spoke glowingly of the Quins’ result, they won 17-8 at Sidmouth. Wright said: “That was a very pleasing result especially given the fact that we fielded half a dozen colts in the side. It underlines the growing strength we have through the club and there’s certainly a good supply of players being fed through the youth system at the Imperial Ground.”

Next up Oxford on Saturday and Wright says: “That’s not as easy as a glance at the table might suggest. This is the time of the season when it seems that Oxford begin a really big drive to securing their status in the Division. Factor in the length of the journey – we have to leave Exmouth before 8am – and it makes for a difficult day all round. However, we have worked hard thus far to make sure we remain on the heels of London Irish and we can ill afford any slacking off. Oxford have signed a tight-head prop who has Varsity match experience with Oxford University and they also have one or two players in their ranks who could hurt us – if we allow them to. The onus is very much on us to remain focused as to what we want, not only out of this particular game, but the remainder of the season. With the latter in mind it leaves no margin for error. I am sure that the players will give us their usual all.”

There is one player who will not be on the bus to Oxford early on Saturday as Wright explained saying: “Second row Bob Armstrong cannot make the trip as he has work commitments, other than that we are at full strength and so will work the lads hard this week in training to ensure that we are fully prepared for Saturday.”