Exmouth Under-11s action v Wimborne

Exeter Chiefs 21, Exmouth 7

Exmouth Under-11s gave a very good account of themselves before slipping to defeat against a Chiefs outfit that had beaten them comfortably earlier in the season.

The Cockles coaching team selected from the large squad a team line up to put pressure on the Chiefs line up which again included a couple of very quick backs. In a really bright start the Chiefs were soon on the back foot and when a penalty was awarded to Exmouth Harry Sprague received the pass from Stewart Masters and drew in three defenders before off loading to Luke Davis who scored in the corner. Davis tucked away the conversion.

The Exmouth forwards were dominating in the scrums winning the vast majority as has become customary, but the chiefs backline were starting to find space to run and eventually the previously impenetrable defence were penalised five metres from the Exmouth try line. The young Cockles were caught napping when the penalty was taken quickly and a converted try followed to send the teams into the break at 7-7.

The second half continued with both sides having periods of being under intense pressure and having to defend. Unfortunately debatable decisions went against the Cockles allowing opportunities which might not otherwise have arisen and thwarted some good attacking platforms which the Exmouth team had worked hard to create. Exeter Chiefs took advantage and scored a brace of converted tries which seemed to knock back the battling Cockles who struggled to finish the contest as they had started it.

Exmouth then put out a team for a second match with only one or two from the first encounter and despite the pack being substantially lighter, and the team including some players new to rugby, scrums were still going with Exmouth!

Although the final result was in the Chiefs favour they certainly had to fight hard for every metre of territory. New boys David Zrolko, Harri Lawrence and Jarred Palmer were singled out by the coach for creditable performances who also commented how the quality of the whole squad is promising for future years when they will be playing with a full complement of 15 on the pitch

Harry Sprague was named Player of the Match whilst Owen Tidball landed the Tackler of The Match honour.