East Devon Eagles traveled to Torquay for their third encounter with Devon Sharks and came away with a narrow 32-28 victory. It took 10 minutes for the Eagles to settle into the game playing up the slope and into the wind.
 
Eagles were first on the scoresheet when Nathan Budd played the ball out to Paul Flower who powered through towards the line passing the ball and captain Dave McCarthy crashed over near the posts, Rich Cadywould converting.
 
Sharks came back with an unconverted try and just before half time, went ahead with a converted try under the posts, giving Sharks a 10-6 lead at the break.
 
A team talk during the interval saw the Eagles return to the field with the spirit and determination seen in previous games and straight from the re-start, Mike Richards played the ball to McCarthy and Jack Downie was on hand to take the ball on and run through under the posts, Cadywould converting 
 
A Sharks converted try under the posts from Eagles missed tackles was putting the pressure on now. 15 minutes in, a high kick by Sharks was caught by Eagles Sean Lovett who offloaded to player coach Tony Emmins who ran through the defence to touch down under the posts, Cadywould converting and 5 minutes later, Mark Wathes took the ball on and in true cheesewire fashion, weaved through to score right of the posts, again Cadywould adding the extras.
 
On the half hour, Nathan Budd scooted the ball from the back of the ruck to score under the posts, a trademark “McCarthy” try, Cadywould kicking the goal to make the score Eagles 30 Sharks 16.
 
However, a determined Sharks side came back at the Eagles and narrowed the score with 2 converted tries, giving the Eagles only a slender 2 point lead. 
 
Cadywould’s attempt at a drop goal hit the upright, but in the last play of the game, referee Ian Allison awarded the Eagles a penalty and Cadywould’s successful kick saw the Eagles win 32-28 to secure the league leaders title and a home game on Saturday 9th August.
 
There was sterling defence by Jack Downie, Andy Kay, Darren Bowden, Nick Smith and Tony Emmins and Man of the Match went to Jack Downie for his all round contribution to the game.
 
East Devon Eagles are at home this Wednesday to Exeter Centurions kick off 7pm.
 
Eagles Squad: Mark Wathes, Rich King, Jascha Saeck, Jack Downie, James Holman, Sean Lovett, Rich Cadywould, Paul Flower, Dave McCarthy, Darren Bowden, Mike Wilson, Mike Richards, Tony Emmins, Nick Smith, Andy Lendon, Dean Davis, Andy Kay, Nathan Budd, Beau Henrickson
 
Tries: McCarthy, Downie, Emmins, Wathes, Budd
Goals: Cadywould 6