Perfect ten as Exiles get half-century

KEYNSHAM EXILES Eight tries on the road ensured Exiles made it ten wins out of ten with a 54-10 thumping of Yatton 2nds.

The tone was set inside the opening 15 minutes as two solid scrums provided the platform for patient attacking phases in which both backs and forwards combined brilliantly.

The first ended with flanker Dan Keepax crashing over for a try, converted by centre Gareth Deere, while winger Marlon Dorsett was on hand to finish off the second move.

Yatton replied with a determined try from winger Steve Pugh but, two minutes before the break, Exiles' athletic jumpers stole a home lineout and released Dorsett, who powered over for his second of the game.

There was still time for James Marsh to touch down before the break, following a bullocking run from full-back Nick Elliot, and Deere's brace of conversions gave Exiles a 26-5 half-time lead.

The Keynsham side again demonstrated their slick and precise handling skills just after the restart as, from an attacking lineout, they sent the ball from one touchline to the other before Keepax touched down.

Hooker Dan Howlett then supported a blistering 50m run from Dorsett and got his reward as he collected a slick offload from the winger before racing over for Exiles' sixth try.

Lock Dean Whitcombe applied the downward pressure after the visitors' cohesive pack rumbled over the line, then a highly impressive performance was rounded off when Dorsett went through the defence like a knife through butter to complete his hat-trick.

Fairless added his third conversion of the day, although it was Yatton who had the final word when Lloyd Richardson touched down after a good catch and drive.

Exiles entertain Midsomer Norton 2nds on Saturday.