Same Again for Exmouth

November 8, 2006, 11:19 am

Two weeks after conceding 61 points to the Cockles in a league fixture, Spartans were back at the Imperial Ground in the EDF Energy National Trophy.

The Exmouth side that faced them was quite different from the previous occasion, due to injuries and positional changes.

Dave Thompson stepped up to the tight- head position and Matt Longhorn switched to lock with Adam Wyllie sidelined due to injury.

Brendan Rawlings made his first appearance, allowing Tony Emmins to revert to blind side. An interesting selection brought Adam Hooper in at open-side flanker.

The backs saw some changes with Jon Boltrukiewicz slotting into the No 10 position with young Dale Sleeman given the challenge of inside centre. Mark Wathes moved from full-back to outside centre with Richard Cadywould filling the No15 slot.

By the end of the first quarter of the game any concerns that supporters may have had with the changes were well and truly put aside.

Richard Cadywould converted an early penalty and it was all Exmouth from then on. Cadywould was the first try scorer, set up by Wathes following good work by Rawlings and Jack Downie.

Wathes surged forward and passed to Adam Hooper who scampered in for a try.

Cockles’ supporters were warming to the new line-up when second-rowers Matt Longhorn and the supporting Dominic O’Connor conbined to score the next try. Cadywould converted

Full-back Ross Webb popped the ball over to open Spartans’ account when Exm9outh went offside.

Straight from the restart Downie and Wathes left Spartans’ defence standing and put Paul Morgan in for his first try. Cadywould converted and at 27-3 the game was no longer a contest.

A lucky rebound off a Spartans player allowed Downie to hack through and score.

Right on half-time Garry Hooper broke blind, Wathes was in support and his pass to Morgan allowed the flying winger to show his pace to score his second try.

Exmouth were 37-3 up at the break and within seven minutes of the restart had put on another 19 points.

Adam Hooper took the initiative and passed to Downie, who sprinted along the touch line to score.

The restart kick failed to go 10 metres and, before anyone knew what was happening ,Garry Hooper had picked the ball up from the base of the scrum and sprinted from half way to score under the posts.

Cadywould converted both tries to make it 51-3.

Not to be outdone, the forwards got into the act with O’Connor surging forward from a line-out; Dale Sleeman and Liam Clatworthy carried it on with Ed Baxter on hand to drive across the line to score.

To their credit Spartans were not giving up and a penalty on the Exmouth 22 was their opportunity to score their lone try. A quick tap penalty produced a score for No8 Lloyd Fisher.

The final score fell to Exmouth when, on his debut, Olly Drewitt beat a number of players before crossing.

Exmouth’s reward, if that’s the right term for it, is a trip to National Three side Rosslyn Park on November 18.

League rugby returns to the Imperial Ground this Saturday with the visit of Camborne (2.30pm).

l EXMOUTH U15s showed they could live with the best in the county when they went down 17-0 to Crediton.

Credion are up there with Honiton and Exeter among the top sides in Devon, but were kept on their toes by the young Cockles.

Some of the Cockles were younger than others as a number of U14s volunteered to move up an age group to get the game on.

Exmouth kept their heads up and played with determination that came second to none.

Even after the sad demise of Ty Tuckett due to injury, the U15s played with so much vigour that making it to the top themselves will be a forthcoming event.

Any players interested in getting in at the start of something special should call Nick Tuckett on 07812 040533.

(this article was taken from exmouthherald)