Cockles beaten by clinical visitors

Exmouth suffered another National Two (S) defeat when beaten 29-8 by Old Elthamians, writes Masie White.

A try ten minutes into injury time by replacement Rob White, masked a competitive game between two teams at opposite ends of the table.

With the clock ticking down and Exmouth battering away at the Old Eltahmians try line, the ball was turned over and moved the length of the field for a try to underline joist how clinical the visitors were, and indeed why they sit in the higher tiers of the table.

Exmouth will reflect, and be disappointed, not to have gained anything from spending periods of time within ten metres of the Old Elthamians try line, but having to emerge from the contest with nothing to show for their efforts.

Flying winger Dom Lespierre capitalised on a defensive error around the breakdown to score the opening try, with fly half Tom White adding a second, ten minutes later. Exmouth full back Rich Cadywould got Exmouth on the score board a few minutes later with a well struck penalty to complete the scoring in a competitive first half that, for the most part, showed their was precious little between the teams.

With no score in the first 20 minutes of the second half, Old E’s worked their way up field and were rewarded with a penalty try. Somehow, when the same offence was committed, but the other way round, no penalty try was awarded - a decision that left cockles officials fuming at perceived inconsistencies!

Full credit to Old E’s who took their chances. Harry Ledger, one of a number of former Exeter University students in the Old E’s ranks was credited with the killer blow in the last ten minutes, which gained the bonus point to keep the Londoners in the promotion hunt at the top of the table.

Star man : Thomas White (Old Elthamians)