Exmouth head coach Jon Hill remains convinced his side are getting better despite slipping to a 32-25 home defeat against Launceston.
The Cockles were in it right until the end against the Cornish All Blacks, who were glad of a last-minute penalty from Keiron Lewitt to make the game safe.
Exmouth came away from the game with a losing bonus point, for a respectable tally of seven from the last 15 up for grabs.
Hill's side may be bottom of the table, but they have avoided being cast adrift and remain only four points from safety.
The second half of the season starts this Saturday with a trip to Southend – at 520 miles there and back, officially Exmouth's furthest of the campaign – and Hill believes the Imperial Ground outfit are improving all the time.
On last Saturday's game, Hill said: "It was a pleasing performance and a league point against a vastly experienced side with 10 players who had Championship experience.
"It was another game that got away from us and we left ourselves too much to do having been 21-5 down.
"To have clawed our way back to 21-18 was hugely satisfying and shows our undoubted team spirit and qualities.
"We have now taken seven points from our last three games, which represents a good return. But we will have to improve our initial go-forward and also our midfield defence if we are to improve on that points-return ratio."
Areas of improvement made so far are up front and also creating chances, although executing them remains a problem at times.
The positive for Exmouth is they are getting in the right positions in the first place.
"We scored another penalty try from a scrum and we were dominant throughout in that area of the game," said Hill.
"We dropped the ball over the try line when it was easier to score, we ran into touch one metre out from the try line and we got brought back for a forward pass when Richard Bright was clean through to score, so we certainly had opportunities to win the game.
"In truth, they knew how to win the game, and closed the game out well. They have some experienced performers and made bigger inroads in the initial phases through the likes of Ryan Westren, Mike Rawlings and Barry Chapman than we were able to.
"We missed Chris Bentley, George Savage, James Harris and captain Ross Morshead up front, and finished the game with four 18 year olds in the forward pack. The experience factor told in the end."
Ross Morshead should be back for the trip to Southend, as should prop Nigel Berry, who had a comeback game in the second XV last Saturday.
Former Albion back-rower James Harris is another on the comeback trail and he could feature in the squad at Southend.
Exmouth found themselves 21-5 down inside half an hour against the All Blacks – Tom Emery their try scorer.
Two kicks from Richard Cadywould got Exmouth moving, then he converted a try by Todd Lowry to close the gap to 21-18.
The visitors went 29-18 up but the penalty try got Exmouth right back in it and there they stayed until Lewitt's late kick.
