DevonU20 22₁₄ - ₀0 SomersetU20

The first full out for both sides saw the two teams play close to the Devon Somerset boarder at Cullompton RFC.

Devon were in control of in general a good discipline match with relatively few penalties awarded although Somerset prop was sin binned in the 7th minute of the match.

The Devon side had 7 players associated with Plymouth Albion and it was one of them that put the first points on the board. Devon took advantage of a series of penalties to take the play down the left hand side. Leaving Devon with a throw in just 10 metres out and they used it to play the catch and drive move. The maul crabbed towards the posts with a Somerset coach shouting you know what to expect the mass went over the line for hooker Sam Roberts touching down. The extra two points were added by Cornish All Blacks' Stuart Evans.

Five minutes before the turn around and Sam Roberts was key to the second try after Devon took a quick penalty on Somerset's 10 metre and the ball passed to Sam who ran to inside their 22 before going to ground.  A quick recycle of the ball and pass out enabled Richard Bright from Ivybridge to cross the line and run around and behind the posts for the second try of the match. 

At the 40 minute whistle Devon went into their dressing rooms with their heads held high but Somerset stayed on the pitch in a huddle. Devon had had the better play of the ball although Somerset had not let themselves down. Somerset had put a number of plays together but had not made it into Devon's 22.

Ben Sangchi who had been down injured a number of times in the first half was replaced by Rory Watson-Jones at half time. Rory himself was also replaced late in the second half due to injury.

Devon continued to control the match but failed to score until the 58th minute. Albion had been awarded a scrum after the Somerset scrum turned by 90 degrees and soon after Devon had a 5 metre scrum which was turned by 89.99999% before captain Jamie Fleming, (Exeter Chiefs) picked the ball up and barged his way over the line. For the first time Stuart Evens' kick went wide.

The final score came just 7 minutes later when Devon were awarded a penalty just right of the post which Stuart made no mistake about.

With a win under their belts Devon seemed to ease off a bit although still kept the play in the visitors half and most of the time in the 22!

With the very last play of the game Somerset made one of their rare visits into Devon's half with winger running down the right wing before being forcefully bundled into touch by Richard Bright.

Coach Tony Boyle was happy with the team's performance in particular the forwards, whilst Devon did not always bet quick ball they controlled the game. Tony said " A good win always happy that we can keep the game to a zero against us and the team played well."

Tony admitted that there are things that will need to be worded on next weekend before they travel to Gloucestershire in a fortnights time. 

Somerset were a tough challenge for Devon but probable the decided of the group will be between Devon and Gloucestershire as the beat  Cornwall 8 - 33.

Devon: Richard Bright (Ivybridge), Jamie Shone (PA), Mark Lee (Ivybridge), Matt Tichias (PA), Tom Bedford (EC), Stuart Evans (Launceston), Richard Bolt (Cornish Pirates),  Tom Hobbs (PA), Sam Roberts (PA), Shane Cooper (Exmouth), Charlie Lanygon (Bristol UWE), Chris Strong (Exmouth), Jamie Tripconey (PA), Ben Sangchi (Newton Abbot), Jamie Flemming (EC(capt))  
Reps:  Beau Henrickson (Sidmouth) , Jake Yeandle (Crediton), Wes Westaway (EC), Tom Wingsfield (Brixham), Rory Watson-Jones (PA), Drew Meakin (PA), Alex Moore (Newton Abbot)

Coaches: Tony Boyle (PA),  Trevor Harris (Topsham), Mark Rowes,  Danny Thomas (Taunton), Nat Saumi (PA), 

PA - Plymouth Albion,  EC - Exeter Chiefs

Photos to follow soon (I hope)

Don't forget a Devon Development side will be playing at Brickfields 27th Feb KO 7:30

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