Exeter Saracens Rugby Club, Exeter, Devon

Match Reports

18th November 2007

 

Exeter Saracens U7’s -v- Exmouth U7’s

 

Match1 – Exeter Saracens (35 -v- 15) Exmouth

Match2 – Exeter Saracens (40 -v- 25) Exmouth

 

Despite the weather both teams played well Exeter Saracens having a very strong 1 st  & 2 nd Game.  Player of the Match was Ollie Jeffrey but all the boys did us proud.

 

Exeter  Saracens U8's v Exmouth U8's

 

Match1           Exeter Saracens (25 -v- 30) Exmouth  

Exmouth’s greater discipline earned them a deserved win after a game in which the Saracens led 15-10 at the interval. Tries by Jonny Farnsworth (3), Reece Boots-Hutchings and Luke Hawkes were well taken, but Exmouth fought back strongly with two a piece  for Morgan Wright and Sam Fullthorpe, and one each from Ethan Langson and Joseph Oates.

 

Match2           Exeter Saracens (20 -v- 20) Exmouth 

This was another closely fought game with both sides passing well and making sustained attacks. Alexei Holmes scored 2 early tries for Sarries. Tries by Joseph Oates, Laurence Knight (2) and Sam Fullthorpe gave Exmouth the lead until a brace of late tries by Jonny Farnsworth evened the honours.

 

Exeter Saracens U9's v Exmouth U9's

 

Match1 -   Exeter Saracens U9's (40 -v- 20) Exmouth U9's

 

Match one started off with strong runs by Exmouth backs and forwards alike, matched by good first up tackling by Billy Curran, Charlie Brown, Cameron Souter-Frost and teammates. A powerful drive, off-loading in the tackle and linking with support players was initiated by Tyler Little, then finished by a great run by Lewis Geran to score. This match began at a terrific pace and high standard of play, and was to continue in this vain to the end of the match.

However, a lapse in concentration, with poor cover tackling let Exmouth back into the hunt and draw level at 5-5.

Further rapid attacks were foiled by desperate Exmouth cover tackles, some of which - for U9 players – were frankly astounding. However, then came a fabulous passage of play that dealt a devastating blow to Exmouth’s confidence and generated self-belief amongst Sarries. Four separate drives into contact found a support player to take the ball forward again. Another offload found team speedster Lewis Geran to finish off the move of the day. Exmouth knew they were really up against a good team now. From the restart, a quick penalty put the speedster away again for his try No.3. Exmouth were not giving up, and their big forwards wrestled what should have been our possession away to score a catch up try. The game was in the balance, with Exmouth despite being behind, still making ground. However fierce tackling by Paddy Randall, Billy Curran, Cameron Souter-Frost and Brad Davies kept them at bay. From one such breakdown, Souter-Frost picked the ball up, dodged two tackles, broke through another three and crossed the line. Samuel Stevens then made a few sharp runs, but was hauled down short.. Billy Curran now stepped up and showed his strength and determination, dispossessing an Exmouth player in contact and taking three tacklers over the line with him to score. Sarries were in the clear now and further excellent teamwork in contact, gave Souter-Frost and Lewis Geran opportunities to show off their contrasting running skills to score further tries. Geran is all speed and balance, whilst Souter-Frost with his sharp rugby brain, sees a gap and is through, brushing off tackles at speed with textbook body position and ball protection. At 8 tries to 2, the Sarries coach made substitutions to bring more players into the fray. Exmouth kept in the game with a super team effort and sneaked two late tries to make the final score Saracens U9s 40 (8 tries) Exmouth U9s 20 (4)

 

Match2 -   Exeter Saracens U9's (15 -v- 25) Exmouth U9's

 

The second match saw an Exmouth team keen to make up for the prior defeat. Sarries fell asleep at the start and then sadly yet again at the restart, and Exmouth two tries were scored by sharp runners who made it to the Sarries try line without challenge. Sarries then experienced a game of ‘nearly scoring’ time after time. Billy Lea continued his good run of form with strong tackling and determined runs, but was penalized for handing off just before a touchdown. Some good cover tackling by Ben Haigh kept further Exmouth attacks at bay, one particular effort took a winger into touch just as he approached the Sarries try line. Will Bayliss picked up the ball from the base of a ruck, dropped his shoulder and sliced through the Exmouth pack only to be felled on the try line and spill the ball forward. Another opportunity missed! George Holwill starting making inroads as did Brad Davies, but Sarries could never be sure of securing ball with a clean ruck. At another unexpected turnover, an Exmouth winger broke away to make the score 15 (3 tries) – 0. Zac Tullet ran on and started scything Exmouth players down with coaching manual demon tackles. Will Bayliss again got involved with up front, stripping the ball off a sturdy Exmouth forward. Louis Samuels drove into the Exmouth pack from lineout ball. Lewis Geran and Cameron Souter-Frost were brought on in the second half to strengthen up the Sarries backs, and with inevitable results. Sarries snatched two tries and it looked like a comeback was possible. A confident Exmouth team did not falter, and eased away with replays of the first two tries. Sarries were too slow in coming up as a defensive line, which gave too much space for the Exmouth backs to pick a running line, and beat any cover.

 

Exeter Saracens U10's (10 -v- 30) Exmouth U10's

 

Sarries blooded some inexperienced players in the first period and they put up a spirited display against a more experienced and organised Exmouth outfit. Exmouth attempted to play some running rugby from the start and they gained the upper hand. Sarries defence worked really hard but could not prevent the visitors running in 3 tries. However, the home side struck the final blow of the period with an excellent try from Tommy Wright.

 

The Sarries changed their entire team for the second period, bringing on their more experienced squad. The game became much tighter but Exmouth still managed to make the next score. Chances were limited until the Sarries made a period of pressure tell and Oliver Scant went over in the corner.

 

The third and final period became a little disjointed with many stoppages for injuries and substitutions. Sarries tried to give as many players as possible experience of match conditions and these personnel changes caused a little disruption to their game plan. The away side took full advantage by scoring another 2 tries, one particularly good effort on the breakaway.

 

A tiring Exmouth team held out well for a 10 - 30 victory.

 

Exmouth U11's (7 -v- 52) Exeter Saracens U11's

 

Exmouth hosted a Strong Exeter Saracens side who seem to get stronger at each match they play.The saracens forwards who were alot smaller than the opposition pack won quality ball in all aspects of the game to give the sarries backs room to run the ball.Hooker Levi Shepherd had a great game and rounded off his man of the match performance with a try.The half backs scrum half Harvey Ridgeway and fly half Ben Brown got clean ball away from contact to the speedy backs who scored some great trys.Toby Hannam the sarries full back scored three trys and converted one and centre Harry Skinner scored two trys and converted one.The other try scorers were Harvey Ridgeway and Megan Coombes and convertions were made by Harry Botterill two Charlie Clewlow and Ben Brown one each.

 

Exmouth U12’s (7 -v- 52)  Exeter Saracens U12’s

 

Exmouth just were not to know what was going to hit them. Sarries were easily stronger by far in every area except scrumaging, which was to be adjudged as even-stevens, which meant that Sarries were going to romp off to a well deserved victory.

 

Despite the cold and blustery wind, Sarries warmed up in an efficient manor so much so the squad was geed to a peak ready for the kick off. Facing the wind and the white and purple of the fired up Cockles, the game got underway from a kick from James Tancock which held up in the wind wonderfully. Sarries brut forced told immediately with Hallum Curran, Theo Thomson, Dominic Ditchburn and Max Augstburger all eager to get involved and take the ball onward. Curran was the first to go over for a try after breaking free from a maul. With the conversion unsuccessful then Exmouth still had heart.

All takes from the restarts were well under control for Sarries throughout the morning with good clear shouts, putting the receivers name on the ball. With good hard mauling, Sarries took more than their fair share of ball, rolling off the mauls and releasing the backs through Tom Pugsley at ten. Centre partnership of Kai Little and Tancock worked well and through good communication made excellent ground although sometimes not looking for the support on their shoulders before going into contact. With the narrow pitch, both Max Street-Mellor and Chris Bayliss often found themselves involved in the forwards game and applied themselves very well.

Two further tries followed by Sarries in quick succession one from Little and another from Street-Mellor who now had found his scoring boots after his first try for the club last week against Ivybridge. The conversions by Matthew Bound and Ditchburn respectively took Sarries into a healthy lead.

Exmouth were now to step up the intensity of their play to string together some excellent and best play of the game to result in them going over for a try which was converted. Heads back up and with cheers and applause in the air from the supporters, Exmouth faced the Sarries restart. Good chasing and quick ruck ball from the Sarries pack enabled Ditchburn to fire the ball into the path of a charging Pugsley who with three huge side steps completely flummoxed the Exmouth defence to go over for a superb try. Conversion taken successfully by Tancock.

Sarries were still not done in this half and once territory had again been regained from the kick off then Sarries set for a scrum. Secure as it had been all morning, the ball was channelled back from the good strike from Augstburger to the feet of Thomson. On the call Ditchburn released the flying Tancock on the switch who was unstoppable from that distance and was to go over with a training field move that was joy to watch executed. Half time was called after Bound slotted the extras.

(Half Time – 7-33)

 

Second half and now the wind was now at Sarries backs although it had dropped somewhat. Sarries started the half with a full on forwards drive with Guy Dennys putting in an aggressive effort to keep the momentum going. From the halfway line the drive was soon halfway into the Exmouth half. Good directional control from Ross Watts, Curran and Thomson kept the drive on track. Input from Ben Clapshaw ensured that the drive went down over the line but the effort was all in vain as the ball was held up.

Sarries gathered themselves and secured the scrum. Again good running lines from Pugsley saw him jink his way over the line. With the conversion unsuccessful, Sarries had to front up the kick off from a heads-up Cockles squad. The kick off went directly to Little who from just five or so metres from his own line ran back at the Exmouth defence. Slipping tackle after tackle and throwing in a side step for good measure that looked so natural, Little broke through to score and incredible individual try. The conversion was good by Tancock.

Exmouth now came back with a short spell of good pressure. Good tackling from Sarries from Watts and Bayliss halted the advances. A kick saw Sarries defending a lineout five metres from the Sarries try line. Good hard work throughout the morning from the forwards in this area plus the whole squad adjusting to the ‘sweet’ calls from the hooker, Augstburger, ensured that once again the accurate throw-in from Augstburger was taken cleanly instead of any tapped rubbish in these conditions. On the loop Augstburger took the ball with strength and advanced the ball away from the danger zone. Another ruck and another phase of play was secured. From an ensuing scrum once again the flying centres came into play with Little running an exquisite line that meant that he could not be touched to go over for his third of the morning. Conversion by Bound was his third successful kick of the morning.

With Exmouth still up for a battle, they kicked off and applied some well discipline opposition to Sarries but were unable to make inroads past the reliable Sarries defence. Good tackling from Ditchburn combined with Dennys bought the Cockles last offensive to a halt. Good rucking again ensured that the ball was well presented. There now was a mauling rumble down the pitch with the occasional brake out to the wings which due to the width restrictions was superbly bought back inside to enable Curran to break off from a maul as he did with his first and to dive over the line for Sarries last try of the morning. Full time called with the successful kick of Tancock to add the two points.

(Full Time – 7-52)

 

Sarries Man-Of-The Match – MAX AUGSTBURGER – Quiet and unassuming but with 100% effort in all the technical areas of his game made an immense difference in the outcome of the match for the team as a whole.

 

Exeter Saracens U13’s (48 -v- 0)  Newton Abbot U13’s

 

Exeter Saracens Under 13’s made the most of their chances to secure a comfortable victory over Newton Abbot last Sunday. In cold, wet and windy conditions, both teams struggled with their handling, however Saracens were better able to adapt their style of play, generally keeping the ball close to their pack before choosing their moments to pass the ball wide.

 

Newton Abbot competed well throughout but were unable to counter the direct running and clinical finishing Sarries produced on the day.

 

In total, Sarries ran in eight tries, four of which were converted. Player of the week was Steve Ashford who scored two of the tries and made a number of strong breaks in what was his debut appearance.

 

Exeter Saracens U15's (17 -v- 10) Newton Abbot U15's

 

Alex Brown in Fly Half position was a first class game maker scoring 2 try's and narrowly missing a drop goal from 30m, in a hotly contested game. Jake Robey added the 3rd try in the closing minutes to secure the game

 Craig Galoway added 1 conversion that kept us in a 2 point lead through the game.