East Devon Eagles played some superb champagne rugby and were rewarded with a 14 try rout over Exeter Centurions.

 

Eagles were on the scoresheet from the kick off when a break by player coach Tony Emmins saw Dave Wellbeloved on hand to cross over near the corner, Brad Perkins converting.  Tit for tat scoring in the next 30 minutes saw Centurions reply with an unconverted try by Alex Ford.  Eagles Jim Holman scored from a break by Dale Sleeman and a Mark Wathes dummy, converted by Perkins, Centurions Brent Ryan scored with Alex Stevens converting and Eagles Jack Downie dotted the ball down under the posts for the first of his 5 tries, again Perkins converting. Centurions Alex Stevens then had to leave the field injured following a crunching tackle.

 

Eagles increased their lead when Sleeman crashed over the line, kicking his own conversion. 

On the half hour, Centurions Andy Griffiths scored, converted by Bryan Logan and 5 minutes later the Eagles passed the ball  through many hands for Downie to go over by the posts, Sean Lovett adding the extras and the final play of the half saw Centurions Ryan run through the Eagles defence and do over under the posts, Logan converting, giving a half time score Eagles 30 Centurions 22

Straight from the re-start, Eagles scored 2 quick tries when Downie caught the ball mid-air from the kick off and wove through to touchdown under the posts, Lovett adding the extras and Wathes offloaded the ball to Chris Strong who went over wide out.

 

10 minutes in and Centurions  Ford’s try converted by Logan was the last score they were going to have as the Eagles upped their pace with superb tackling and outstanding defence and a determination to win this game.

 

Quick fire tries from Lovett, who kicked his own conversion, Downie who went over wide out, the conversion hitting the uprights and Sleeman who barged through the tacklers on the try line, saw the Eagles go past the half century.

 

From the kick off, an exhibition run through the centre of the park by “crazy legs” Holman saw him ground the ball under the posts for Sleeman to add the extras.  A slow drift saw the ball go from Wathes to JackWestlake who went over wide out for an unconverted try and minutes later, Paul Morgan took the pass and made a superb touchline run to go over by the corner flag.

 

There was then an injury to a Centurions player which stopped the game for several minutes and just after the re-start, on the 3rd tackle near the line, Downie crossed for his 5th try of the game before referee Andy Bickle blew for time giving the Eagles a 72 28 victory.

 

Player coach Tony Emmins said that after a disappointing start, the players realised they would have to up their game to the level they can play at after letting in some soft tries.  Eagles defence then dominated the game and credit must go to all the players for an excellent game and a result that reflected their playing ability.

 

Man of the Match was awarded to Downie for his all round performance and his try scoring prowess.

  

Eagles tries: Wellbeloved, Holman (2) Downie (5) Sleeman (2) Strong, Lovett, Westlake, Morgan
Conversions:   Perkins (3) Lovett (3) Sleeman (2)

 

Centurions tries:  Ford (2) Ryan (2) Griffiths
Conversions:  Stevens, Logan (3)