Exeter Saracens Rugby Club, Exeter, Devon

Match Reports

6th April 2008

 

Newton Abbot U8's (15 -v- 25) Exeter Saracens U8's

A tense, close match played in snow flurries saw a deserved Sarries win. Tries by Max Tilley, Cody Ware and Reece Boots-Hutchings were matched point for point by Newton Abbot up to the interval. Both sides showed flair in attack but Sarries defence held good and both Reece Boots-Hutchings and Jonny Farnsworth broke through to score, clinching the game for Sarries.

SidmouthU10's (25 -v- 5) Exeter Saracens U10's

Newton Abbot hosted both the Sarries and Sidmouth for a three way event.

Sarries first game was against Sidmouth and they had a really hard battle against an experienced and very well organised Sidmouth unit. Sidmouth dominated the territory for a lot of the first half but the Sarries make them work hard for their 3 tries. There were some big tackles from Mace Haines and some determined work from forwards Charlie Percival and George Bishop.

The second half was a much closer affair. Sarries put together some good passages of play and made good ground. Sidmouth still had plenty of ball though and made a few handling errors to let the Sarries of the hook, however, they did manage to craft two more well worked tries. Time was running out for the Sarries to break their duck but a mazy run from Morgan Rosser gave them a last gasp try in the corner, well deserved for their never say die attitude.

Game2

Newton Abbot U10's (45 -v- 5) Exeter Saracens U10's

Sarries then went straight back on to face a Newton Abbot side smarting from a heavy defeat by the Sidmouth squad. The home side looked determined from the start and the Sarries were beginning to look jaded. The first half was relatively even with Newton Abbot scoring 3 tries to Sarries 1, Ed Smale scoring a good try for the away team.

Sarries made some substitions at half time to ensure all the squad got some valuable game time. However, the Newton Abbot team were in no mood to allow the Sarries reshuffled squad to settle. They made their considerable size advantage tell and scored 6 tries without reply from a tiring Sarries team. Despite being outgunned the Sarries players refused to give in and they kept working hard right to the final whistle. A tough morning for the Sarries squad but their spirit will not be dampened.

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DEVON RFU U12's Festival 2008 (Hosted By Exeter Saracens)

Exeter Saracens were privileged and honoured to be awarded and to host the Devon RFU Under12's Festival 2008. After months of organisation the day finally arrived and everything seemed to drop into place except it seemed the weather which dished out heavy snow, thunder and lightening just 30minutes prior to registration / team draw taking place. However despite this the day brightened and the only further thing to be endured weather wise was one short hail storm early afternoon.

The format of the day was one which would hopefully keep as many players playing throughout the day. This was engineered by having four pools of four teams. The first place in each pool would go onto Semi's and The Final of the Main Devon Festival Competition. The second place in each pool would contest the Plate Competition, the third place the Vase Competition and the forth place the Bowl Competition.

The standard of rugby throughout the day was of a very high standard by all the teams that took part. The natural ability of some players, bought on by wonderful coaching throughout this and previous seasons was a wonderful spectacle.

Finishing Positions (Point In Brackets)

Pool1

Barnstaple (6), Sidmouth (4), Ivybridge (2), Plymstock (0)

All teams showed fantastic flowing rugby but was mainly fought for in the forwards with the strength of Barnstaple coming out on top. A good opening game between Sidmouth and Ivybridge, two evenly matched teams, effectively decided second place come the end with Sidmouth winning 7-0

Pool2

Kingsbridge (6), Crediton (4), Cullompton (2), Exmouth (0)

Kingsbridge blew all away that stood before them with some impressively high scores in the 7minute each way games. They were a force to be reckoned with their huge pack of forwards and lightening fast scrum half. Crediton secured second place with two good victories over Exmouth and Cullompton.

Pool3

Tavistock (4), Torquay (4), Exeter Chiefs (3), Topsham (1)

Tavistock won the pool over Torquay because they had scored five tries to Torquay's four. Exeter Chiefs beat Topsham 14-0 to secure third place after both teams drew with Torquay and lost to Tavistock.

Pool4

Exeter Saracens (6), Newton Abbot (4), Totnes (2), Tiverton (0)

Sarries won through the pool stages with excellent displays of rugby, whipping the ball out through the backs after securing the ball well in the forwards. The toughest game of the day for them was against their old rivals Newton Abbot. Totnes played despite only arriving with twelve players. Their compliment was made up with five eager Sarries players who just wanted to play rugby on the day. Tiverton were able to string together some enterprising rugby but were unable to convert any pressure in the pool stages to points.

Winners of the Bowl Competition were Topsham. The Vase Competition winners were Ivybridge. The Plate Competition was secured by Sidmouth. The Devon U12's Festival Final was a closely fought contest between Kingsbridge and Exeter Saracens after they had knocked out Barnstaple and Tavistock respectively in the Semi Finals. Despite Sarries taking the lead in the first half Kingsbridge fought back to gain an equaliser. The tension was flowing through all who watched there were at times an unbelievable quality to the rugby which was played by the two squads. Sarries tried many moves to punch holes in the Kingsbridge defence but with the well drilled Kingsbridge team up quickly into the attackers faces then Sarries could find no way through. Kingsbridge then got the winner after a short spell of pressure on the Sarries line. Sarries now tried their all to break through but again the Kingsbridge rucking and mauling was a powerful machine for them and time was eaten away.

The Competition Fair Play Award, judged independently by the Festival Referees, went to Cullompton. This award took into account both the players attitude and behaviour on and off the pitch plus that of the coaches and spectators off of the pitch.

No complaints on the day. Fantastic rugby played in good spirits, with excellent refereeing and hopefully enjoyed by all that attended. As the saying goes, Youtrh Rugby in Devon was the winner on the day.