The Cockles kept fighting to the end of the game but bowed out of the Devon Cup after succumbing to a 15-24 defeat at Devonport Services, a result that brings down the curtain on another entertaining season for Exmouth RFC.

Tries from Matt Ryan, Robbie Weeks and Joe Harris were not enough on the day for Exmouth, with Sam Whitehead unable to add from the tee. Scores from Dylan Daley, Aiden Taylor, James Hocking and Ricky Bentham with two conversions from Richard Goldsby-West took Services to the final against Brixham, who overturned Okehampton 55-31.

Close at half time, only 10-12 down, the second period did not start well for Exmouth, when the lads fell two scores further behind within 15 minutes of the restart.

Despite this, they were always looking for opportunities and were constantly chasing the game. Exmouth scored on 65 minutes, however the home side’s defence held out and the Cockles could not get on to the score sheet again.

Everyone at the club would like to say thank-you for the support from their travelling faithful, and also wish Devonport Services well in their home final at the end of the month.

There are still celebrations to come for the Cockles, including the Exmouth Rugby Senior Awards Party on Friday, May 19 at Ocean Exmouth. Tickets available at the club. The Cockles are already looking forward to next season.

Team: Gareth Walker, Jack Madge, Brad Skinner, Liam Bayley, Steve Pape, Will Ridout, Joe Harris, Dave Bargent, Finn Musgrove, Sam Whitehead, James Clarke, Nick Headley, Jake Inglis, Matt Ryan, Robbie Weeks. Reps. Andy Lendon, Harry Sprague, Jake Sharp, Richard Cadywoul.

On the professional scene, Exeter Chiefs found themselves on the wrong side of history at Leicester Tigers on the weekend, as home winger Chris Ashton scored a hat-trick, and became the first player to score 100 Gallagher Premiership tries in the process.

The Chiefs were humbled in a 62-19 defeat and a red card for Olly Woodburn was a hammer blow for Exeter, who are now almost certainly out of the play-off race.

Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter told the BBC: "It felt like a game where every individual mistake hit us big. We didn't get away with many little mistakes that didn't become big pressure moments.”