Honiton 2nd XV were beaten narrowly, 37-26, by Exeter Engineers in a compelling contest at Allhallows.

Engineers opted to play down the slope in the first half and were soon into their stride, helped by a poor start by the Lacemen and three minutes in had their first try.

Honiton hit straight back and a Steff Lawrence kick saw Ross Oaten pressure the receiver and he was joined by Ben Logan to bundle the Exeter player into touch.

Oaten claimed the line-out to set up a rolling maul and it was Oaten who touched the ball down to open the home account and the conversion was duly slotted by Lawrence.

The Engineers, who had beaten the Lacemen earlier in the campaign, once again showed real quality and they ran in four further tries to lead handsomely at the break.

Playing with the advantage of the slope in the second half and they struck first with another successful maul, this time leading to Logan crossing for the second Lacemen try and again Lawrence converted.

A third home try duly followed with Logan popping a pass fro a ruck to Oaten and he ran home from 25-metres out. Lawrence slotted his third conversion.

It was Oaten, playing in the number eight berth, who scored the fourth and final home try, capping a Man of the Match performance when he crossed late on to complete the scoring.