East Devon Eagles continued their wining ways with a 14 try rout over South Dorset Giants at the Imperial Ground.

 

Eagles opened the scoring 7 minutes in when Dougie Wright crossed over under the posts from a set move, young Dan MacLeod, in only his 2nd game of rugby league, taking the conversion.  Giants replied with 2 quick converted tries.

 

After James Holman’s touchline run to the line was thwarted, Mark Wathes successfully followed with a superb run down the outside to touchdown under the posts and then scoring his 2nd try in the corner, MacLeod converting both.

 

Jack Downie broke through the tacklers and offloaded to Dale Sleeman who scored an unconverted try wide out but Giants scored a converted try in reply.

 

Just before half time, from a penalty Dan Cuthbertson bulldozed through to crash over, MacLeod adding the extras and Wathes scored his hat trick after throwing off tacklers and making a jinking run to the corner flag, making it 32 – 14 to the Eagles at the break.

 

Straight from the kick off,Giants penetrated the Eagles line for a converted try but that was the end of their scoring opportunities.

 

Downie took the ball on and wove through the defence with Chris Strong in support at pace and he stepped inside the last man to power over in the corner, MacLeod converting.

 

From a penalty awarded for Giants indiscipline, Richie Guy passed on to Sleeman and then outside to Downie who scored his 2nd , MacLeod adding the extras and then he caught an interception to make a solo break through and go over, kicking his own conversion.

 

Ollie Turton’s touchline run was rewarded with a try, but the difficult conversion fell short and he followed this with his 2nd try when he fielded a Downie high crossfield kick, MacLeod adding the extras.

 

The last 10 minutes saw 3 more Eagles tries from Downie, Paul Morgan and James Holman, Sleeman converting one, giivng the Eagles an excellent 74 – 20 victory.

 

Player/coach Tony Emmins was pleased to see the Eagles back in control dominating defence and  with well drilled set piece attacks.  Sterling defence from Flower, Sleeman and Downie was a major part in the Eagles victory.

 

A close contest for Man of the Match was between Chris Strong and Sean Lovett but Lovett came first for his unseen control and strong ball carrying.

 

Eagles Tries:  Wright, Wathes (3) Sleeman, Cuthbertson, Strong, Downie (2) MacLeod, Turton (2) Morgan, Holman,
Conversions:  MacLeod (8) Sleeman

 
Giants Tries:  Lewendon (2) Peplow, Mooney,
Conversions:  Peplow (2)