Sat 21 Dec 2024
The game between Exmouth, who were first in the Regional One South West, and the Cornish All Blacks, who were 4th in the league, was not a game to be missed.
Only 4 minutes after the game started, Brandon Rowley broke through from a ruck and dived over the line to score a try, and George Hillson kicked the conversion to make the score 7-0 to the Cornishmen, who were playing into the stiff breeze. However, just like in the previous encounter between the two teams, the CABs struggled to deal with kick-offs and within minutes, Charlie Gibbings, Exmouth's hooker, scored a converted try after driving a maul back across the line 7-7. Exmouth's much vaunted scrum was not being given the chance to put any pressure on the CABs front row of Hawken, Bulut and Ollie Martin. More excellent running and handling from the whole CABs team resulted in the CABs crossing the try line but frustratingly being unable to ground the ball. From the resulting goal-line drop-out, Dan Goldsmith charged down and a phase later Cam Fogden fed Mitch Acres to score a try on his debut game which Hillson converted spectacularly from the corner to make it 7-14.
Straight from the kick-off a conceded penalty gave Exmouth the chance to play some close game rugby and score right under the posts 14-14. It was a double whammy for the CABs as Goldsmith went off, with a knee injury. However, the CABs were fortunate to have Plymouth Albion loanee, Torin Clarke, to bring on. Several minutes after this, Billy Martin, was sinbinned, possibly for in at the side of the ruck 5m out. Exmouth were able to take advantage of the extra man and scored a try out wide, which George Meadows, their fly half, converted it. The score was 21-14 to Exmouth. It was now the turn of the CABs to show their mettle and spirit. The CABs worked their way up the field and from a 5m lineout the maul drove Fred Bulut over to dot the ball down for 5 extra points. George Hillson only just missed the conversation, making the score 21-19 to Exmouth.
Straight from the kick-off a forward pass resulted in a scrum that Exmouth took advantage of, playing the ball quickly while the forwards were still attached to the scrum, using their man over that wasn't marked to score. They did, however, miss the conversion. 5 minutes after this, Billy Martin was brought back on, and the Cornish All Blacks should have scored again, but there was a turnover ball close to the line. The half-time score was 26-19 to Exmouth.
With the wind advantage 9 minutes in CAB's Mitch Acres scored a try after diving as the ball rolled away after an awkward bounce following super all round play and a neat grubber kick from Bulut. Hillson did not convert it, making the score 26-24 to the Cornishmen. Exmouth were struggling to get out of their half, due to the wind then and they soon gave away a penalty right in front of the posts for George Hillson convert, making the score 26-27 to the Blacks. It was now the CABs turn to double up a score and 20 minutes into the second half, Cam Fogden scored a try which Hillson converted stretching the lead the game by 8 points, following a wonder break from Hillson. Straight from the kick-off, Acres got injured in an aerial contest. Zerran Hammond was brought on to replace him. 24 minutes in, Exmouth scored a try as they had a man over, and they sent the ball flying between the posts. Minutes later, Zerran Hammond scored a try, Hillson missed the conversation giving the CABs a 6 point lead with approx 8 minutes to go.
Within 4 minutes though Exmouth worked had their way from their own 22 for an exceptional team try. This reduced the lead again to just one point. It was a matter of whether the CABs could hold on, or Exmouth exploit an opportunity for any score. For the CABs, it was thankfully, the former. A knock-on gave the CABs a scrum and Hillson gratefully ended the match with a kick to touch. The full time at Exmouth was 39-38 to the Cornish All Blacks and a game worthy of top billing of the day. It now means that 3 points separates the top four teams and makes 2025 an exciting time in the league. First up for the CABs are strugglers, Ivybridge, on 4th January at Polson.
It was also anther super day for the Castles, with an excellent 5-24 win at St Ives, to maintain their top spot on Cornwall III
