Clifton blow early lead

Our visit to the picturesque Devon south coast ended in disappointment . Exmouth is well known for being a holiday destination but is also home to friendly rugby club close to the sea who are experiencing rugby at this level for the first time.

We travelled on a beautiful sunny which may have made the players of spending time on the beach building sand castles than on the rugby field.

At the appointed hour we arrived on the field of play and started with a bang but after the opening quarter lost our way allowing Exmouth before firing on all cylinders in the closing stages.

Playing into the bright sun we immediately put the home side under pressure and within 3 minutes making a Brad Barnes landed a penalty to give us an early lead. Exmouth were also reduced to 14 men when hooker Tom Emery was sin binned at the same time.

We continued to exert pressure through our pack after 7 minutes prop Adam Ledner went over for his first try for the club. Barnes kicked the conversion.

Within 5 minutes centre James Golledge had crossed the line for our second try after a 40 metre break for a try converted by Barnes.

In the build up to the try George Karayiannis was forced out of the action with a calf injury to be replaced by Greg Nichols who normally plays scrum half .

We then appeared to switch off for no discernible reason allowing the home side back into the game,

Our back three failed to deal with a bouncing ball and home flanker Dave Bargent took the ball and raced in from30 metres for a try converted by full back Rob Avery-Wright after

Avery – Wright a summer recruit from Newton Abbott was the dominant figure for the home side with some timely breaks and to back up his excellent tactical kicking which exposed the Clifton back three.

On a rare Clifton a visit to home territory Barnes who did not fail with a kick all afternoon land a penalty at the end of the first quarter.

We also for a period struggled in the set piece and it was no surprise when prop Dan Pullinger-Ham went over to cut the lead to six points. Centre Mark Waites went over for unconverted try just before the break.

After the interval we conceded a penalty try our fourth in 3 weeks.

Exmouth were finding gaps in our defence and it was no surprise when winger Richard Bright went t over on the hour for a converted try to extend the home lead to 13 points.

This score acted as a spur to Clifton who suddenly came back into the game and were unlucky when for the second time in the game had a try disallowed for a forward pass.

The accuracy and intensity of the opening minutes were rediscovered and a solo break by scrum half Matt Britton brought it’s reward and we were within 6 points but Avery-Wright with his only penalty of the afternoon restored the gap to more than a point.

We were determined to return to Bristol with a point and after some powerful running Golledge appeared to squeeze in at the corner and after a lengthy discussion between the referee and his assistant a try was awarded. Barnes landed the conversion from the touchline.

By now the sun had set and the final minutes were played out as a misty gloom descended over the ground making playing conditions for both sides as well as difficult to follow the ball

This was a game we =re more than capable of winning but we came away with 2 bonus points.