United 54 Warriors 7
By Frank Stormont
September 16 2008
Westcountry Warriors take a very young side up the road to Sandy Park but find themselves faced with a strong team that would not have looked out of place on Saturday in NL1!
Exeter 7 Plymouth 75
- I wish.
Alright the actual score was United 54 Warriors 7 but this was not a unexpected as the teams were playing in different leagues.
Exeter United, who only have one more fixture planned, put out a very strong side. Even Ed Lewsey was placed on the bench for the first half. He could be seen behind the Warriors try line practicing his throwing, kicking at catching during the first half before coming on at half time in his preferred role of Scrum half.
Also in the United side were Tommy Hayes, as captain, and Emyr Lewis who scored a try down the wing in the first 2 minutes.
With United full of strong, big and experienced players that would on their own probably beat most other NL1 sides. the Warriors were a true development side with only one or two exceptions.
Alex Davies played a good 60 minutes before he was replaced by Steve Johns, with Mark Lee taking on the kicking duties, could have scored early on when he opted to take a long penalty from just inside his own half. The ball went just right of the posts. Shortly after he had a pop at a drop goal which again went right of the posts from 30 metres out.
The strength and size of the United forwards meant that they could push their way through the small gaps that the Warriors left for them.
The only points for Warriors came deep in the second half when Tom Jarvis made a break along the left wing before off loading to the other winger Darren Ritchie. Who then out ran the defence going straight for the right hand corner before running around the back of the posts to make the job that much easier for alllbion sponsored player Mark Lee to convert.
Cory was the last player to come on from the bench at 80 +1 but without even touching the ball the final whistle was blown with what was expected to be 5 or 6 minutes of stoppage time that was NOT played.
It might have been the biggest loss that Warriors have had in living memory but they should be proud of their performances.
 |  Jane |  Jamie |  Ryan | |
 Wayne |  George |  Ed |  Joe | |
|  Jamie | |
|  Matt (capt) |  Alex | |
Tom | |  Ross |  Mark |  Darren |
|  Nat | |
Bench
 Cory | Jamie |  Max |  Ollie |  Sam |
Jack |  Pita |  Steve |
Scorers Try - Darren Ritchie Conv Mark Lee
Semper Sersum.
on the plus side if the warriors can score at sandy park what can our first 15 achieve!
i believe that they are beatable.
come on albion lets keep the ball rolling
roll on for albion V exe
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugbysunday then?
Yes, it was men against boys last night, but as said above they stayed playing until the very end, not just to score the try but there was also still hard tackles going in from the warriors. Well done to all.
I dont think you should be under any illusions the team we bring to you guys will be the strongest possible squad but a Derby match is a great equaliser! However, I do hope it is not a close match after the Pirates second half performance it showed that a good team will give everyone a run for their money. So we are coming to beat you!
We heard at our members meeting that the GP2 will be by invitation only so it is not guaranteed that the clubs finishing in the bottom 4 will necessarily be the ones going down! This came as a surprise to alot of us - you have to make sure that you are invited to the party - ask your board! some of your more in the know posters will have more of any idea of what is going on.
So you're hoping for an invite too.
Semper Sersum.
It shouldn't be the same high hurdle as entry to the Prem, but the RFU won't be looking to count somewhere like Polson Bridge in just because they had a couple of OK seasons in the lower leagues.
On a less cynical note, they will be looking to reward those clubs who have put themselves out on the investment front.
Financial stability will also be a criterion, I would imagine. No disrespect, but I suspect that a Coventry-style melt down will not be viewed terribly favourably, just a year down the line.
Come to think of it, a decent record of young player might not go amiss, either. Another good reason to do well in the Canterbury Shield, methinks.
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Do you think the R.F.U. would finance the grounds that weren't up to it if they came high enough in the league so that the required improvements could be made.
Someone is going to be very dissapointed I feel.
Semper Sersum.