Exeter Saracens Rugby Club, Exeter, Devon

Match Report

24th November 2007

South Molton 0 v Exeter Saracens 11

Exeter Saracens arrived at a cold and wet South Molton looking to reverse the earlier cup result from 5 weeks previous. There were a few new faces in the Exeter side with Jo Welch making his debut at second row, after looking sharp in the second team and Scott Caithness playing his second match for the 1XV at scrum half. In addition, Raul Ramirez moved to fly half.

Despite the wet and slippery conditions Sarries opted to run clean ball at every opportunity. Martyn Dibble and Steve Wakeley were superb in the lineout winning both their own and opposition ball. After ten minutes the Saracens defensive pressure forced an interception which centre Tom Bass ran in from half way to take a 5-0 lead. Sarries continued to move the ball wide from good second phase ball which the hard working forwards Keith Ballantyne, Dave Loman, Shaun Dudley and Ash Bolt worked tirelessly to provide. Ben Croft was stopped a mere short after a fine South Molton last ditch tackle. Mike Goldsworthy went close twice, again held up either just short or over the line. To be fair the play was not all one way although the Saracens attacks looked the more threatening. Two penalties from Mike Goldsworthy were all that Sarries had to show for their endeavours to turn around and play down the minor slope with an 11-0 half time advantage.

Whilst the second half was scoreless there was still some enterprising play from the away team, Chris Crow always looked strong breaking the gain line on regular occasions. Ben Croft who had sometimes struggled to hold the slippery ball was unlucky not to score in the corner and it was especially disappointing when Martyn Dibble was held up from a strong driving 5 meter scrum in under the South Molton posts. One of the more pleasing aspects of this performance was the dogged determination and defensive qualities of the team as a whole. In addition this was one of the best performances of the forwards at the breakdown.

The victory puts Saracens top of the league for the first time on points difference.

The team are fully aware that they will have to maintain the high work ethic when Topsham visit next week for the first local derby when a fine selection of Saracens Old Boys are hoping to attend.