Photographs by Steve Townsend Photography
East Devon Eagles lifted the silverware in the Rugby League Conference South West Regional Final with a 14 try rout over Somerset Vikings.
The weather was more inclined to April than August with heavy rain and strong wind, but the Eagles determination that they showed throughout the season once again proved that the Eagles can fly high.
The Eagles were on the scoresheet twice in the first 10 minutes when skipper Dave McCarthy picked up a Vikings dropped ball to dive over wide out to score and Jack Downie weaved through the opposition to touch down under the posts, Rich Cadywould converting both.
Vikings replied with a Matt Howley try, Mark Lees converting and Eagles Jim Holman scored 2 tries to give the Eagles a 20 – 6 lead after 30 minutes. From the scrum, the ball came out to Holman who made a jinking touchline run to go over wide out and then Garry Hooper made the break, on the Mark Wathes and Cadywould was on hand to kick the ball ahead. Holman caught the bounce and went over next to the corner flag, but both conversions missed, the second unfortunately hitting the crossbar.
3 more Eagles tries followed before the half time whistle. Hooper went over in the far corner when McCarthy played the ball to player coach Tony Emmins and out to Cadywould and Hooper scooped up the ball to scamper over the line. Wathes picked up loose ball and with 6 Vikings players chasing him, he outpaced them to touchdown wide out. Jonny Boltrukiewicz made a break and following a run up the center of the park, offloaded to McCarthy for him to run in his 2nd try and dot the ball down under the posts, Cadywould converting, giving the Eagles a 34 – 6 lead at the break.
Vikings started the scoring in the second half with a Jon Gatford try, converted by Lees, but the Eagles denied them any further score until the last play of the game.
Quick ball and a superb pass by Cadywould to Sean Lovett saw him go over in the corner and 5 minutes later, a Lovett pass to Downie put him over the line for a try, Cadywould adding the extras.
The Eagles now saw victory in their reach and they scored 5 tries in the last 10 minutes of the game. Cadywould chipped the ball ahead caught the bounce to dive over the line under the posts, kicking his own conversion. From the re-start, Dale Sleeman offloaded to Downie for him to make a solo run and ground the ball under the posts for his 3rd try. Again from the kick off, Eagles Jascha Saeck took the ball on and made a solo run down the centre of the park, sidestepping the Vikings defence to touchdown by the uprights. Cadywould scooped up a dropped Vikings ball and a slick pass to Hooper on the wing saw a touchline run in for his 2nd try and Wathes finished the scoring for the Eagles with a well worked try under the posts, Cadywould converting all 5.
Vikings Mark Lees scored a Vikings consolation try in the last play of the game but the Eagles had secured the silverware with this 74-16 victory when referee Ian Allison blew for time.
A jubilant Eagles team were presented with the silver salver as Rugby League Conference South West Regional winners.
Player coach Tony Emmins and Captain Dave McCarthy were delighted with the team performance today, and throughout the season the whole squad has shown enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to the Club and have produced some great rugby to entertain their supporters.
Eagles squad: Hooper, Holman, Wathes, Downie, Turton, Lovett, Cadywould, Melbourne, McCarthy, Westlake, Sleeman, Wilson, Emmins, Flower, Briggs, Boltrukiewicz, Saeck.
Tries: McCarthy (2) Downie (3) Holman (2) Hooper (2) Wathes (2) Lovett, Cadywould, Saeck
Conversions: Cadywould (9)