Exmouth Rugby 1st Team beats lively Royal Wootton Bassett

Exmouth played host to the game, which took place on September 14, 2024.

The enthusiastic Royal Wootton Bassett squad posed a significant challenge during their visit to The Royal Avenue, but Exmouth, notoriously called the Cockles, managed to hit two out of two in this nail-biting match.

The game commenced on a cautious note but it was the visitors who took the lead within three minutes with a try from Ollie Baycroft, duly converted by Ryhs Floyd.

However, Cockles' player, Fin Marks, swung the game in their favour wideout, changing the score to 5-7 after 15 minutes.

Bouncing back, Exmouth seized the lead with a second try by Dave Bargent with a defence-shattering run, bringing the tally to 10-7.

Despite the Cockles' stronghold, Royal Wootton Basset managed to secure a brief lead with a try from Woody Walker and extras from Floyd, momentarily leading 10-14.

Dave Bargent (Image: Brian Westaway)

Just as the tide seemed to be turning against Exmouth, the last ten minutes before half-time turned the tables.

Quick succession tries from Matt Ryan and Charlie Gibbings earned the Cockles a four-try bonus point, securing a lead of 22-14 at half-time.

The second forty kicked off with a strong performance from the Cockles.

Ten minutes in, Dave Bargent delivered another stunning try, converted by George Meadows, extending the lead to 29-14.

With plenty of time remaining, Exmouth continued their onslaught and widened their lead to 34-14 with Charlie Gibbings scoring his second try.

Edging near the end of the game, Royal Wootton Bassett clawed back their third try through Mitchell Gough, subsequently converted by Floyd.

Coming to a close, the score at the final whistle stood at 34-19 in favour of the Cockles.

Undeniably it was a robust performance, although some try opportunities were missed amidst the exuberance.

Looking ahead, the Cockles are keen on sustaining their winning streak.

They are geared up to face the Cornish All Blacks, the only other unbeaten team in the Regional 1 South West League, on September 21.

This away game in Launceston will be a true test of the Cockles' skill and perseverance.

Cockles Quins suffered a setback against Exeter Saracens RFC 1st Team, losing 55-17.

Concurrently, the Cockles Nomads, showcasing a blend of youth and experience, returned with a 10-59 loss against Exeter Saracens 2nd Team.

However, the Cockles Colts emerged victorious in a friendly match against Kingsbridge Colts, South Devon, with a scoreline of 5-34- a testament to the quality of their under-18 squad.

Upcoming fixtures include Quins facing Honiton RFC 1st Team at home and Nomads travelling to Honiton RFC 2nd Team on September 21, 2024.