Devonport Services claimed victory in the highly anticipated Under 15’s Devon Cup final, defeating Exeter Saracens in a thrilling match on Sunday 30th April at Tiverton Rugby Club.
The two teams were, on paper, evenly matched and the raucous travelling fans cheered on their respective sides as the game kicked off to a blistering start. 
Devonport’s forward pack quickly showed their intent to dominate the game, with fierce tackles and powerful drives into the opposition's half. Devonport quickly drew first blood with captain Louis Tout setting an example by forcing over the first try of the game just four minutes into the match. As he has done all season Will Lane duly converted to take the score to 7-0. 
Exeter Saracens responded with their dangerous backs always probing for an opening, but Devonport's defence held strong. The well-drilled Devonport forward’s prowess was soon on display once again at the 10-minute mark, as Louis Tout scored another try, which was again converted, to stretch their lead to 14-0.
Exeter Saracens needed to respond quickly and sure enough, they did on 12 minutes as they found the gaps in the Service's defence to run over their first try. Their kick was converted, bringing the score to a tense 14-7.
After that Saracen's try, the first half continued to be dominated by Devonport Services, with their high defensive line proving too much for the opposition. 
Harry Westlake scored Service's third try at the 15-minute mark, to take their lead to 19-7 and continuing to pile on the pressure, they scored again from Jack Richardson on the 23rd-minute mark. The kick was converted taking Services into a commanding 26 - 7 lead.
With half-time approaching Harry Westlake grabbed an impressive quickfire hat-trick of tries with the last being on the stroke of half-time, to take the score to a dominant 36-7, leaving Exeter Saracens with a mountain to climb if they wanted to get back into the game.
The second half saw Exeter Saracens return to the field with renewed vigour, determined to salvage a positive result from the match. Very slowly they began to dictate the flow of the game with Services unable to exert the same dominance that had come so easily in the first half.
But for some last-ditch defending from the resolute Devonport Service’s forwards, Exeter Saracens may well have scored more tries, however, the pressure finally told on 42 minutes as the defence conceded a penalty try to take the score to 36-14, giving Saracens the glimmer of hope they needed. 
A fired-up Saracen’s support willed their team forward and on 55 minutes the Service’s defence was once again breached taking the score to an encouraging 36-21. 
A noticeably unsettled Devonport Services shuffled the pack in an attempt to see the game out and sure enough, the substitutions from the coaching team worked, as Jake Mackenzie powered over the final try of the game on 60 minutes. Will Lane stepped up to convert his fourth kick of the day taking the score to an unassailable lead of 43-21.
With Exeter Saracens noticeably deflated the Service’s team closed the game out victorious, crowning a season-long unbeaten run with the Devon Cup - a very tangible reward!
Thanks to Dave Smith for this report.
Photographs thanks to Nikki Mackenzie