Barum hang on to win

BARNSTAPLE held on to beat Exmouth 16-12 in the Devon derby at Pottington and claim their first National Three win in three starts.

Exmouth played most of the second half a man short after flanker Lee Loveridge was sent off for a second yellow-card offence.

Going a man down seemed to inspire the Cockles, who were 13-0 down at the time but got back in the game

Barnstaple had built a sizeable lead by the break. Josh Squire booted them ahead with 25th-minute penalty. Then, with Loveridge and scrum half Garry Hooper both in the sin bin, Barnstaple made their advantage tell with a push-over try from Jason Slade.

Squire converted and kicked a second penalty in first-half injury time.

Loveridge’s second yellow card came when he made a tackle near his own try line and failed to release his opponent.

Exmouth’s remaining 14 players fought hard and were lifted when Squire was sin-binned on 68 minutes.

After a spell of pressure, Mark Wathes score Exmouth’s first try.

Tuhakaraina eased the Barnstaple worries by knocking over a 78th-minute penalty, only for Exmouth to storm back again.

Hooper scored from a penalty and Andrew Powell’s goal left four points in it.

Barnstaple are away to Oxford Harlequins this Saturday.