Exeter Saracens 61 St Columba 3
COLUMBA travelled to second-placed Exeter Saracens with only 18 players to choose from. The back division was largely inexperienced with only Mat Grieve and Barry Bottrill over the age of twenty-four. After 15 minutes Columba gave away a penalty and the hosts were threre points ahead. Five minutes later well won line out ball, followed by good rucking led to Exeter's first try and eight minutes later lax tackling let them in for another. During the next 11 minutes poor Columba tackling let in two more tries both of which were converted to give Saracens a 28-0 lead. Right on half time Exeter were awarded another converted try, though the ball appeared to be knocked on as the player went over the line. At 34-0 it had been an awful half for Columba with none of their players looking like they wanted to play rugby. The second half was better for Columba as they scored their first points of the day when a penalty was kicked by fly half Adam Bushrod five minutes in. Buy Exeter responded by upping a gear, running in five more tries, one of which was converted to give them a tally of 61 points. Good play involving Drew Blakeley and Dave Bettridge put prop Mike Grieve into space 22 metres out. With Dan Thornton on his left shoulder and Shaun Austin supporting on his right, all he had to do was draw the defender and pass to Dan but he cut back inside and was caught in two minds, was tackled and the chance slipped away. The final whistle went with no further score and the result was a 61-3 defeat for the Torpoint side. The Columba players had stuck manfully to their task but selection problems proved too great to overcome. Their inexperienced side was well beaten by well- drilled opponents, who will be promoted at the end of the season. Without a league game tomorrow, Columba cross the Tamar again for a friendly against OPM thirds at Elburton.