By Frank Stormont
May 6 2007

Devon play a great game of rugby in the newly named Bill Beaumont Cup. With 10 Albion players starting and a further 3 on the bench.

Devon 49 Middlesex 5

On a bright Saturday in May Devon host Middlesex at Exmouth RFC. After a minutes silence for ex Devon and Albion player Geoff Fabian Devon kicked off with 10 Albion players and Chris Lowrie as captain.

Experimental laws had been added to the rebranded Bill Beaumont Cup, which included being allowed to pull down the maul from above the waist, defence line should be 5 metres behind the try, if you take the ball back into your own 22 you can not kick straight out and a free kick for killing the ball.

Devon always had the game in their hands from the first minute running in 3 tries in the first half and another 4 in the second. Ricky (Regardt) van Eyk had a 100% record on conversions even from the right hand touch line.

5 minutes into the first half Rick had an opportunity to put early points on the board from a penalty but the 40 metres out in front of the posts. The ball fell short and went right.

With a driving maul on the right James Owen took up his position at the back to give him a scoring opportunity which he took in the 8th minute. 7 - 0

With Paul Scheres spending 5 minutes on the sidelines with a blood injury to his face Darren Ritchie had an early call to the pitch.

The next score did not come until the 25th minute of the match after Devon had been attacking the Middlesex line for a good 5 minutes making a yard or two at a time the maul went over for Launceston prop Wayne Reed to go over for the first of his three tries. 14-0

On the half hour Middlesex had the opportunity to reduce the margin and get some points on the board but a penalty kick from 30 metres out was kicked low and to the right.

Skipper Chris Lowrie put his mark on the match with a forwards try as he went over with the ball 10 metres in from the left touchline. 21 - 0

With only two minutes left on the clock and a penalty advantage running Middlesex broke through the Devon line but a final half tackle caused Middlesex to knock on.  When the play was called back they kicked for touch but failed to take advantage and the ball went against the head.

Early in the second half Middlesex took a tap penalty and through the ball wide for their number 8, Jamie Sanders, to put Middlesex's only points on the board.

Tom Bedford made a run towards the Middlesex line before passing inside to Wayne Reed for his second try of the match. 28-5

Tom Bedford took the ball all the way on his next opportunity after receiving the ball on the Middlesex 10 metre before dodging in and out to the line. 35-5

On the hour, with the driving maul not being able to be pulled down and splinters going left and right Wayne Reed completed his hat trick. 42-5

The final try came from a George Dixon run down the right wing before passing inside for Arran Cruickshanks to pick up the points by touching down close to the corner flag. Ricky added the final 2 points from a touchline conversion.

Team: Jon Fabian(PA), Tom Bedford(Ex), Arran Cruickshanks(PA), Ross Allen(PA), Paul Scheres(Bn), Ricky van Eyk(PA), Richard Bolt(Ex), Tim Mathias(PA) James Owen(PA), Wayne Reed(Lan), Ed King(PA), Mike Lewis(PA), Dave Kimberley(Lan), Ben Rowntree(PA), Chris Lowrie(PA)(Capt)  Replacements: Shane Kingsland(Ex), Dan Stead(Brix), Barry Chapman(Lan), Jake Childs(PA), Matt Newman(PA), George Dixon(Cov), Darren Ritchie(PA)

PA = Plymouth Albion, Bn = Barnstaple, Ex = Exeter Chiefs, Lan = Launceston, Brix = Brixham

Scorers Tries:  Wayne Reed(3),  Chris Lowrie,  James Owen,  Arran Cruickshanks, Tom Bedford  Conversions Ricky van Eyk(7)

Referee Nick Williams.  TJs Phillip Davies, Lloyd Jackson

Tickets will be on sale from the Plymouth Albion Reception from Tuesday 8th May for the match on 19th May against Gloucestershire.

Place cursor over picture to hold

(The pictures may take a while to load)

copyright ã  alllbion.co.uk