Match Reports
Tiverton RFC 2nds (30) v Sidmouth RFC Quins (13)
The Quins last away game of the season was a good reflection of the majority of their games this campaign; rare moments of quality but plenty of indecisiveness, naivety and lack of self belief. If the Quins want to improve next season they need to cut these errors down considerably, their league position is I am sad to say where they deserve to be on the evidence of the majority of performances this season. A team with so many skilful players should not be so low in the table.
The Quins kicked off into a strong wind and were behind within the opening 8 minutes. Tiverton broke away from near halfway to score under the posts and open up an early 7-0 lead. Tiverton almost extended their lead minutes later from a penalty but the kick drifted just wide.
The Quins first real attack after 15 minutes looked very promising to begin with after a good maul and some decent handling. Unfortunately Tiverton turned the ball over at a ruck and again broke away to score in the right corner the tricky conversion was of target. Tiverton would have gone further ahead, but for a fantastic last ditch tackle by Ben Salter.
The Quins were soon to enjoy a spell of pressure which would eventually result in a try for hooker Neil Barratt. The try came about following a series of 4 or 5 quick rucks and some very good handling. A little chip behind the defence by Josh Reed looked to have halted the move, but Captain Stuart Bickerstaff somehow managed to get hold of the ball and make the decisive break before passing to Barratt who “sprinted” over in the corner. The conversion attempt by Ben Pratt was just of target.
The Quins were soon on the attack again but could not force their way over an error at a lineout gifted position to Tiverton. The home side broke out from their 22 and were only denied a try but another fine Salter tackle. The home side almost scored a third try but the referee adjudged the Tiverton player made a double movement when grounding the ball over the line; this allowed the Quins to clear although momentarily. An easy penalty in front of the posts saw Tiverton extend their lead only for the Quins to reply with a penalty via the boot of Pratt on the half-time whistle.
The opening five or ten minutes of the second period were scrappy neither side managing to take command; until a missed tackle by the Quins allowed Tiverton their fourth try of the day.
The Quins task of fighting back was dealt a blow when prop Ben Halford was shown a yellow card for fighting with his opposite number following a scrum. The home team only just managed to take advantage of their numerical supremacy by scoring a fifth try after some dogged Quins defence, seconds after the try Halford returned to the pitch.
The Quins were next on the score sheet. A powerful scrum by the forwards gave Bickerstaff the platform to sneak over in the corner. The conversion by Pratt went agonisingly wide. Just as it seemed like the Quins were mounting a comeback the home side delivered the knock out blow. Simple handling by the Tiverton backs saw their winger score their sixth and final try.
The final 10 minutes saw the Quins mount a valiant effort but mistakes at crucial moments cost them dear. The last play of the game saw the ball held up over the Tiverton line but the referee was unsighted so could not give the try.
Sidmouth 2nds v Barnstaple 2nds
Sidmouth Quins 10 Barnstaple 17
The Quins gave Barnstaple a good game at the Blackmore and perhaps if a few decisions went there way could have claimed a victory.
Barnstaple started the stronger of the two sides scoring a converted try after fifteen minutes. Sidmouth then had the lions share of posses ion and territory, No eight Pete Springfield was eventually awarded a try after some great forward work. Gavin Pearson up from the colts played as if he was in the seniors all season, soon to be joined by fellow colt, Jeremy Massey-Birch who replaced Ben salter, departing with a dead leg. Pete Springfield got his second try of the match to give the Quins a 3 point lead. Both wings Adam Squance and James Leat with ball in hand were now stretching the visitors from North Devon. On one such run James Leat chipped ahead and was taken out by the visiting fly-half, who received a yellow card and 10 minutes in the cooler, that was James final part as he had to leave the field very dazed. To rub salt into the Quins wounds, the guilty party came back on just before half time to slot over a penalty to tie the score.
The second half was a even battle with both sides missing penalty attempts. Barnstaple scored the winning try with fifteen minutes to play. despite plenty of effort the Quins could not manage to get over the visitors line. With the last play of the game Josh Reed intercepted the ball 10 metres out and gamely tried to batter his way through two defenders but was held up short, to the sound of the final whistle. Tom Irish another colt came on in the front row and proved he will add competition for a place next season. Stuart Bickerstaff who has captained the side whilst 2nd team club captain Mike Down has set up his new business as a publican in the Volly at Ottery (all the best Mike from the 2's) was always in the thick of the action and non stop in his efforts for his team. Looking like a good bet for Skipper next season. This week the Quins travel to Tiverton for their final merit table game.
Sidmouth Chiefs v Camborne 1st
SIDMOUTH 1ST XV 23pts v CAMBORNE 1st XV 50pts
Despite this heavy defeat at Camborne, the Chiefs will play in the South West One West league again next season. This was confirmed by Penryn’s defeat at Brixham.
The Chiefs were competitive for much of this entertaining game played in perfect conditions. In the end a failure to receive kick offs effectively gave Camborne three simple scoring opportunities, and a lack of fitness allowed them to run away with things in the final 15 minutes.
The Chiefs failed to catch the opening kick off and Camborne regained possession to build up pressure in the Sidmouth 22. Eventually the number eight drove over from close range. The try was unconverted.
The Chiefs struck back almost immediately with an excellent try of their own. Following a turnover at a ruck, the ball was moved quickly to the right. With the defence stretched, the ball was switched back to the left where accurate handling sent James Powell in at the corner to level the scores.
Camborne’s influential number seven put his side back in front with a strong individual run following a quick lineout. The scrum half converted. Sidmouth kept in touch with two Tom Whelan penalties. However, after the second of these, the restart kick was dropped. Camborne snapped up the loose ball and their forwards drove on to set up a try by the hooker. Just before halftime the Chiefs lost possession on their own 22 and the Camborne number six scored with a powerful run. The conversion made the score 11-24 at the break.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Chiefs got themselves back into contention when Sam Richardson scored from the back of a scrum on the 22. Whelan added the conversion. The good work was immediately undone by a lack of concentration at the restart. Spotting a gap in front of him, the fly half took a short grubber kick. The number seven followed up and was only brought down a few metres short of the line. When the ball emerged from the resulting ruck it was moved to an overlap on the left for the winger to score.
Play was evenly contested for the middle part of the half until the Camborne full back joined the line at pace in the 22 to burst over for a converted try. Two more tries followed in quick succession, both from counterattacks started inside the home 22, which exposed some lacklustre Sidmouth defence. Both were converted.
Showing good spirit, the Chiefs fought back to score in the closing minutes. Jack Pyne drove over after a lineout maul had been driven 20 metres to the line.
