We spoke to Cockles head coach Steve Perry on Monday night after the dust had settled in his side’s narrow defeat at Drybrook.

He said: “It was disappointing that we made as many errors as we did, particularly after the all-round performance of just a week before. On the plus side, the pack did well and we got good and physical going forward, but on the negative side I don’t feel the backs got into the contest as much as I’d have like them to.”

“They [Drybrook] defended well and we were simply unable to break them down. There’s no complaint from me about the result. What I would say, though, is that it is an opportunity missed. I say that because we are a good side, as we showed in the week before, but we did not repeat too much of our opening day performance on Saturday.”

“The fact that we did not play well but picked up a bonus point is of some consolation. It is important that we look to bank points when we are ‘below our best’.”

“We have a big squad, and that is something of a luxury for it’s unusual for clubs at this level to have such a large squad. That’s a good thing as it means that there is immediately pressure on players in the first XV to perform, with the bottom line being that if standards are not reached and then maintained, changes can, and will, be made.”

On Saturday (September 15), the Cockles are at home to an Exeter University side that has won both their games so far this season.

Steve Perry says: “They [University] will be a useful outfit, full of well-conditioned young men who are targeting possible careers in the professional game. I doubt that the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) has kicked into gear yet this term, which tells us that, at this early stage of the season, the University have all their better players available.

“That said, we have no need to fear any game at our Imperial ground home; as I have already said, we have a good side and a strong squad and need to be excited about the prospect of a contest against Exeter University.”