East Devon Eagles won the league play-off game against Exeter Centurions 44-34 in a close fought game to go through to the Grand Final next Sunday against Devon Sharks at Tiverton.

 

Eagles were first on the scoresheet with an unconverted try from Mark Wathes and Centurions replied 5 minutes later with a converted try from Brent Ryan converted by Alex Stevens.

 

Eagles then went 10 points ahead with converted tries by Wathes, his second of the afternoon, and Dale Sleeman who went over near the posts having received the ball from Jon Boltrukiewicz who had made the hard yards.

 

Centurions levelled the score to 16-16 with 2 Alex Ford tries converted by Stevens just before the half time whistle

 

6 minutes into the second half, Centurions Rich Hart scored a converted try but the Eagles upped their game and were rewarded with a hat trick of tries from Rich Cadywould and then Paul Morgan made a solo run to touchdown under the posts, Cadywould converting all 4.

 

The last 10 minutes of the game saw tit for tat scoring with Centurions Ryan and Brommell scoring 2 converted tries and Eagles Sleeman crashing over by the posts for his second try of the game, Cadywould adding the extras and when referee Melvin Bettridge blew for time, the Eagles 44-34 scoreline had put them through to the Grand Final.

 

Man of the Match was given to Paul Morgan for his sterling defence and numerous try saving tackles.

 

Player Coach Tony Emmins commented from the touchline that “ today’s game was not up to the Eagles usual standard and the scoreline flattered the opposition”.

 

Eagles Tries:  Wathes (2), Sleeman (2), Cadywould (3), Morgan
Conversions:  Cadywould 6