Action between Exmouth and Barnstaple at the Imperial ground on Saturday. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref exsp 8425-17-12SH. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

Exmouth 19, Tavistock 12

Exmouth Colts finished the season with a workman like performance that brought them a deserved success.

Action between Exmouth and Barnstaple at the Imperial ground on Saturday. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref exsp 8431-17-12SH. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

For the first time this year the Cockles had the luxury of a squad of 26 to choose from and, as the match was a friendly, the opportunity was taken to give action to all of them.

Straight from the kick-off a penalty was won and knocked deep into opposition territory where, from a line-out, the ball was moved swiftly along the three-quarter line from where outside centre Jacob Loaring went over for a try that was then not converted.

The visitors responded well and levelled with a try of their own, the games second try in just three minutes!

The remainder of the half was an even contest played out for the most part in the middle third of the pitch.

At half-time Exmouth made ten changes, but this did not stop them making a bright start to the second half.

Brad Cooke took the ball from the re-start and powered his way to the Tavistock 22 where he was tackled.

The support was instant and the forwards picked up play to drive towards the line.

During the drive the ball was passed to scrum half Sam Conway and he went over fro three yards out. Tyler Wright tucked away the conversion and Exmouth took a 12-5 lead.

The home side then took charge with the forwards in the ascendency from pick up and goes from rucks and mauls.

This frustrated the visitors who gave away a trio of penalties. The third one was taken swiftly by Conway who then went over from 5-yards and again Wright added the extras.

Tavistock had the last say by scoring a try in the last minute in the corner. Sam Marks landed the Man of the Match award.

Special mention must be made of retiring colts, Paul Bright, Seb Opie, Jacob Loaring, Sam Marks and Ben Holloway.

It was also the last game of running the line to the teams regular linesman, Len Delooze, who is retiring after many years of running/walking the touch line for the colts, and all connected with the team and the club thank him very much for his long standing, and much appreciated service.