Five minutes in and 12-0 down things looked worrying for the boys. However cheered on by a superb travelling support we steadied our ship to fight back. A brilliant Tristan Van Dyk hattrick and a calmly taken score from Joe Cave ensured full rewards for our boys in blue. Things couldn't have started worse as within 90 seconds we watched an Exmouth intercept returned for the game's first try before minutes later we were under our sticks again having conceded a quick fire second. That initial horror start was quashed as we began to grow into the game, James Mattin slotting the first of three penalties to end their scoring run and put us on the board. A few minutes later and Van Dyk scored the first of his three almost identical tries, charging onto the ball ten or so metres out he bulldozed through a sea of white and purple to crash over. Exmouth looked to be losing their grip on the game but we allowed them an easy way back in when we gifted them a deep scrum from which they won, first a penalty which went to the corner, and then a penalty try at the ensuing lineout. The reply was swift from us though as Robin Edbrooke gathered the restart before seconds later Van Dyk powered in once more. The final say of a thrilling first forty went the way of Joe Cave when the centre scored to put us into the lead for the first time following some sustained pressure. Fewer points came in the second period and it was largely managed very well from us as we showed development from weeks gone by. Van Dyk completed his trio of scores and although Exmouth pulled one back two more penalties from Mattin, including one with the final play made sure it was a Derby Day delight for Tops.

Tries:
T.Van Dyk x 3, J.Cave
Conv:
J.Mattin x 3
Pens:
J.Mattin x 3