East Devon Eagles travelled to Weston super Mare to play Somerset Vikings with a much changed side and only 15 players.

 

Both teams stood for a minutes silence before kick off in memory of Nigel Harris – a keen Eagles supporter and loyal servant of Exmouth Rugby Club.

 

Vikings were on the scoreboard twice in the first 10 minutes with 2 converted ries and the Eagles replied with 2 tries when player coach Tony Emmins crashed over by the posts, Dan MacLeod converting followed minutes after with a Dean Bywood try by the corner flag, the conversion hitting the uprights.

 

Vikings gained another converted try but a nice breakthrough up the touchline by MacLeod and on to Nathan Budd saw young Ty Tuckett, in his first ever rugby league game, receive the pass and touchdown in the far corner.

 

On the half hour, 2 Vikings converted tries put them 10 points in front but again the Eagles responded and when Paul Flower was held up just short of the line, quick play of the ball saw Emmins on hand to bulldoze his way over and score, the conversion fell short. 

 

Just on half time Vikings scored an unconverted try to make it Eagles 20 Vikings 30 at the break.

8 minutes into the second half, Dave Wellbeloved took the ball on and passed out wide for Ty Tuckett to weave through and dot the ball down in the corner, MacLeod converting.

 

Eagles were then down to 12 men when Sean Lovett was shown the yellow card, and in these 10 minutes, Vikings scored 2 soft tries, one converted, to give them a 40-32 lead but the Eagles were not to be defeated and upped their pace and commitment for the last 20 minutes.

 

Nathan Budd went in under the posts,kicking his own conversion, and when Flower was held up, the ball was played out to Martin Westaway who crossed over the line, MacLeod adding the extras.

Still 2 points behind and 4 minutes to go, Jack Downie made the break and darted through the Vikings defence to touchdown under the posts for a converted try and this put the Eagles just in the lead by 4 points.

 

Vikings were not able to break through the Eagles defence and when Flower made the hard yards, the ball passed through 2 pairs of hands, through the defensive line for MacLeod to go over, kicking his own conversion and giving the Eagles a 50-40 victory.

 

Man of the Match was awarded to Ty Tuckett for his unbelievable defensive commitment and strong running for the full 80 minutes.

 

Player coach Tony Emmins said after the game that only twice in his long rugby career has he seen such guts and determination to pull a victory in the manner that this game was won and is full of admiration for all 15 players who travelled to play in this hard, competitive game.