DEVONPORT Services youth rugby supremo Sam Matts has admitted his relief at finally getting some games played.

Chairman of youth rugby Matts watched the club's under-14s lose a keenly-fought encounter with visitors Exeter Saracens by four tries to three.

"It was a great, very close game," said Matts. "Both sides recycled the ball well and any points that were scored came from mistakes."

"It was encouraging that we got back into action again after being off for so long because of the bad weather.

"It's disappointing we've lost so much of the season because of that."

He added: "The danger is, of course, that younger players get used to not playing and drift off.

"What we've done is keep the lads' interest by holding training sessions on all-weather pitches and we've fared pretty well."

Matts said despite coming back following a long lay-off, Services and Saracens had put on a good display.

He said: "Credit to both sides, because despite the fact they've been off for so long, they showed they've still got the basic skills.

"Hopefully, the weather will remain kind and we'll get the last seven weeks of the season."

Salcombe U8s...9 Stonehouse Sharks U8s...8 (score in tries)

SHARKS fell narrowly in a see-saw and thriller encounter in sunny, but crisp conditions, at Salcombe's Two Meads home.

Sharks got on the scoreboard first after a run from Harrison Truswell set up Sam Staples to cross the whitewash.

Following more good work, Sam Essex went over sandwiched between scores for Salcombe. George then put Sharks back in front.

Salcombe hit back to first level and then regain the lead just before the break.

After the restart Sam Beneteau finished off a fine run from Truswell before Salcombe retook the lead.

Sharks pressed hard for an equalizer and were rewarded with scores from Alex Dunford and Beneteau.

Salcombe's response was rapid and they came back with a pair of scores of their own before man of the match Truswell fed George to get his second of the game.

A period of good tagging saw Salcombe pull clear by two tries. The final try came from a blistering run by Reece Haynes who fed Dunford, who touched down in the corner for his brace.

Salcombe U9s...55 Stonehouse Sharks U9s...25

AN IMPROVED second-half display from Sharks could not prevent a heavy 55-25 defeat to hosts Salcombe.

Salcombe went over the line for three, quick early scores.

The home team added two more before Sharks' Mason King, Jacob Cameron and Jonathon Hibbert began to make inroads into the Salcombe defence.

However, following some weak tackling, Salcombe ran in another score.

Sharks' Callum Burge then made an inspired run to score before Salcombe added a further two tries.

From the restart Hibbert rolled out of two tackles before offloading to King, who jinked past a static Salcombe defence.

Unfortunately, another try by Salcombe, took the half-time score to 45-10.

After the break, Sharks came out more positive and determined, but were unable to stop Salcombe from bagging a final two tries. But Sharks regrouped and Cameron and Burge scored to have the final say and make it 55-25 at the final whistle.

Newton Abbot U10s...3 Stonehouse Sharks U10s...5 (score in tries)

A GOOD all-round team performance saw Sharks snatch a well-deserved victory at Newton Abbot.

Newton Abbot seized the lead in a closely-contested encounter but Stonehouse almost snatched an equaliser straight from the restart, captain Harry Bishop pulled down two two yards from the line.

Shortly after, Robbie Weeks did cross the line after another strong run.

Newton Abbot hit back for a try of their own, but Jerome Clench equalised just before half-time with a fine rampaging run following a tap penalty.

Sharks really gelled after the break with great rucking and mauling from forwards Finlay Salter, Brandon Normington, Rohan Napier and Jerome Clench leading to good straight runs from the backs including Tom Tabb.

Weeks scored a third try for Stonehouse, diving over the line after a strong run from Salter.

Bishop capped his man-of-the-match performance with a dazzling run culminating in a try.

Newton Abbot made the last few minutes fiercely-competitive hitting back with a consolation try after some weak tackling.

But Clench then bulldozed his way to his second try and Sharks' fifth.

Plymstock Albion Oaks U10s...33 Ivybridge U10s... 9

PLYMSTOCK Albion Oaks recorded their best win of the season against their counterparts from Ivybridge.

Harry Groves opened the scoring for Plymstock who led a 9-3 half-time.

In the second half George Dunn, Ben Tyler-Webb and Finlay Reynolds came on for Plymstock to get their team going.

Plymstock increased their lead as Elliot Hill scored times as did Sam Waterfield and George Dunn.

Ben Tyler-Webb caught the ball from a scrum and ran straight through the Ivybridge defence to add a great try.

Then Finlay Goose-Reynolds ran from the halfway line, side-stepping defenders to deliver another try for Plymstock.

Minutes before the end Josh Hudson outran the Ivybridge players to add another try.

Devonport Services U11s...7 Stonehouse Sharks U11s...19

SHARKS scored two, second half tries to overcome stubborn resistance from Services.

Sharks' Jake Stanton played a real captain's role, leading from the front and scoring the first try of the match converted by Lewis Swatton.

Services bounced back with a try of their own to equalise before half-time.

In the second half Sharks took the lead with a try from Cheyenne Edwards converted by Swatton.

Stonehouse struck again with a try from Luke Nicol, to extend their lead and the final score.

Newton Abbot U11s...19 Stonehouse Sharks U11s...17

SHARKS agonisingly fell to a last-gasp Newton Abbot try.

Sharks' Jake Stanton broke through the Newton Abbot defence offloading to Luke Nicol to score the first try.

Newton hit back with a try of their own, tying the score at half-time.

Sharks came out fighting in the second half, taking the lead with an unconverted try from Cheyenne Edwards.

Newton Abbot fought hard and forced a converted try, taking the lead for the first time. The lead was shortlived as Nicol scored and converted his own try.

Stonehouse held on until the dying seconds only to lose out to a converted try from Newton which made it 19-17.

After much deliberation, Sharks' man of the match honours went to Luke Nicol.

Plymouth Argaum U15s...19 Saltash U15s...22

ARGAUM and Saltash served up a thrilling contest in bitterly cold but sunny conditions at Bickleigh Down.

The home side started brightly and opened the scoring when prop Liam Quick powered his way over from a tap penalty.

Saltash played with width and used their quick backs to great effect to allow Doug Shirley to go over for the equalising try.

On the stroke of half-time Argaum captain Carl Turner put his side back in the lead with a try. Alex Coutts converted to make it 12-5.

In the second half Ashes broke clear and added a try for Rob Cockburn and two further scores for Shirley, one of which was converted by Cockburn.

Argaum deserved the final score of the game after concerted pressure in their opponents' 22 allowed Lewis Harmer to cross for his first ever try.

Coutts converted to make it 22-19.

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