East Devon Eagles finished as unbeaten league winners from 10 games and ran in a century of points with 19 tries from a fast and furious game of running rugby against Weymouth based South Dorset Giants.

 

It was a ruthless way for the league champions to mark their last league game of the season before the Grand Final on Saturday 15th August at Exmouth against either Devon Sharks or Exeter Centurions.

Eagles were on the scoresheet in the first 5 minutes when Mike Catris battled through the Giants defence to touchdown, Rich Cadywould converting, quickly followed by a well taken try from Olly Turton created by Paul Morgan, Cadywould adding the extras.

 

On the quarter hour, a series of sloppy penalties allowed Giants Tim Comben to score an unconverted try.

 

The next 10 minutes saw Eagles score 3 more tries, all converted by Cadywould, by Jack Westlake, Jascha Saeck – the first of his 6 tries of the afternoon – and Paul Morgan.

 

Giants were on the scoresheet again from a solo run by Peplow, who also converted. However, the Eagles replied with 3 quick fire tries, one of which was converted, before half time.  Frederic Marty offloaded to Saeck 30 yards out who ran in under the posts; good work again from Marty set up skipper Dave McCarthy for an easy run in wide out but the conversion hit the uprights and just on half time, Shaun Fayter broke through the defence and scored a superb solo try wide out to give a score at the break Eagles 44 Giants 10.

 

3 minutes into the second half, turnover ball saw Fayter on hand to provide Saeck with his hat trick try, Catris stepping up to kick the difficult conversion with ease.

 

The hardworking Morgan was rewarded with his 2nd try following slick passing along the line, the conversion failed. A long kick ahead by Downie was chased up by McCarthy who put boot to ball for Saeck to chase and go over in the corner, Cadywould adding the extras.

 

On 20 minutes a quick tap penalty by McCarthy saw the ball pass along the line to Downie who went over in the corner for the first of a hat trick, followed by a slick handling movement from Cadywould which saw Catris on hand to hit the line at speed taking the tacklers with him.

 

The Eagles allowed Giants their last score of the game when Will Hughes went over, Peplow converting.

On the half hour, Catris picked up loose ball just inside his own half and after breaking several tackles, galloped in from 50 yards, converting his own try.

 

The last 10 minutes of the game saw a rampant Eagles side take apart the tired Giants running in 5 tries from Turton, Downie (2) and Saeck (2) Cadywould converting 3, to reach the century before the final whistle.

 

Man of the Match was awarded to Shaun Fayter who has shown great improvement in his all round rugby skills in his first rugby league season.

 

The day finished with a fancy dress “fun and games” evening including “welly throwing competition” and “team ping pong” – a variation on table tennis

 

Eagles Tries:  Catris (3), Turton (2), Westlake (1) Saeck (6),  Morgan (2) ,McCarthy (1), Fayter (1), Downie (3)

 
Conversions:  Catris (2)  Cadywould (10)