Sidmouth 2nd xv 23 - Cullompton 2nd xv 18

The Quins started the New year in Great fashion, beating one of the best drilled sides in the merit table.

It didn't bode well for the men in green, Cully were always on the front foot, within 2 minutes knocked over a penalty, and only a pass away from a try. Ben Pratt slotted a penalty to level the scores. The restart, which wasn't dealt with by the home team, fell kindly into the hands of the visiting centre who ran untouched under the post for a easy 5 points the conversion added for a 7 point lead.

Sidmouth's forwards were now on the up and began to dominate the set pieces. resulting in another well struck penalty from Ben Pratt, who was just wide with a long range effort before half time. The second half started in the same manner for the home side, conceding a penalty within 2 minutes. Then the Quins scored their best try of the season so far, a solid scrum, quick pass to the fly half, who receives the ball back on a loop from the inside centre, then misses the out side centre to a fast running full back who trundled in under the posts, Pratt added the extras to level the scores. Will Gater who scored the last try, then went very close with a drop goal from his own 10 metre line.

Halfway through the half both sides were reduced to 14 after a yellow card each, Sidmouth's could have been avoided if a certain player could control himself. James Powell chipped over the defence, Robbie Ross collected and off loaded to the impressive Johnny Hamil to dot down out wide. to give the Quins the lead for the first time. James Powel rounded up a good day for himself by scoring next, before Cullompton scored with final whistle being blown not long after. The Quins were dominant, with the forwards exceptional, don't want to name any of them as all 11 of them were blinding.

Lets hope the Quins can keep the same sort of team for next weeks trip to Paignton.

Okehampton 2nds 29 Sidmouth 2nds 14

Sidmouth lost this battle of 2 halves, leading 14 - 0 on the stroke of half time. the big bull of a home centre , crashed over in front of the posts, Dan Prettejohn, who was having a great game, in his efforts to stop him from scoring, dislocated his wrist and broke his hand. a 10 minute interlude to allow the medical team to treat and get Dad comfortable, was followed by the conversion. to give sidmouth a slender 14-7 half time lead. The try scored by Wade Cooper, after a great break from James Powell. and 3 penalties in awkward conditions by Ben Pratt. Understandably the mindset wasn't quite right for the 2nd half, the remaining players put in a great deal of effort to restrict the home side to3 tries 2 conversions and a penalty. Jamie Wardrop was exceptional, Matt Jenkinson also made his debut for the club. With a mainly young, group of players there is a lot of potential to mould a solid squad together for several seasons to come.

Sidmouth 2nds 7 V Newton Abbot 48

The walking wounded of Sidmouth were brushed aside by a Newton side at the Blackmore. The Quins who batteld as best they could, were rewarded with a solitary try and conversion from Ben Pratt, who outpaced the visitors from the halfway line. Lewis Tollerfield went off in the second minute, Johnny Hamil, gamely carried on till half time, Dan Colson and Dom Hawke both had dodgy shoulders. James Powell, Ryan Davies, tackled relentlesly. Matt Jenkins on for Lewis also put himself about on a day the Quins will want to forget. This week they travel to Barnstable, providing the treatment table has worked! and enough fit players available.

Topsham 26 Sidmouth 2nds 27

Sidmouth came out on top of a good old Ding Dong of a match against a Topsham club side. With the usual lack of communication The Quins only had 14 players to start the match, until Andy from the home team volunteered to pull on the green shirt to even the numbers up.

Topsham started at a fast pace, putting Sidmouth under pressure,10 minutes in, eventually scoring under the posts, the conversion good for a 7 point lead. Chris Pike, who is becoming a influential player for the Quins , made ground, before being caught in possession, conceding a scrum which Sidmouth stole against the head, Martin Keywood playing at 8, made in-roads to Topsham’s half forcing the home side to give away a penalty, Ben Pratt calmly slotted from 35 metres. Ben Norcombe tackled and turned his man over, forcing a scrum for sidmouth on the halfway line. Keywood relishing his role at 8 broke and brushed aside several would be tacklers before being hauled down before the 5 metre line, quick recycled ball was spun wide for Ben Norcombe to score his first try for the club, great rewards for someone who has hardly missed a training session.

Topsham were still attacking with flair and were unlucky with a couple of spilt and forward passes to deny them from regaining the lead. Ryan Davies hacked on a loose ball which was only just gathered by the home full back before the marauding Sidmouth players could get there to bring a end to a very entertaining first half. Topsham who brought on some replacements, started the second half scoring after 2 mins, Sidmouth penalised at a ruck, quick tap ball caught Sidmouth unawares for a converted try just left of the uprights.

The Quins front row , Captain Mike Down, Rob Mew, and Ben Halford were giving the home side a torrid time. Lewis Tollerfield soldiered on with a bruised shoulder moving to the back row with Dan Prettyjohn in the row. Following another scrum against the head Ben Pratt made a decisive break in the middle of the park, veteran Andy Matchett was in support, drew the covering defence, releasing James Powell to finish one of the best tries the quins have scored this season, Pratt was again on target for the extra 2 points for a slender 15–14 winning margin. Powell increased the lead with another try, Pratt adding the extras. Topsham scored a converted try, to peg the Quins back after another conceded penalty with 15 mins remaining. With 5 to go Topsham made the most of a dropped ball on Sidmouths 5 metre line to crash over for what they fought was a winning try and conversion.

However the determined Quins never gave up, Keywood carried the ball into the visitors 22, several forwards tried to bash over the line, dogged defence kept them at bay, Fly-Half Josh Reed , used all of his guile to sneak over out wide to the delight of his fellow players, perhaps a bit drained from the effort, his conversion drifted wide. With one more play to go Sidmouth secured the restart, kicking the ball into touch, to hear the final whistle securing a well ear’s victory, 27- 26. Scrum Half, Johnny Hamil played a blinder of a game, with great distribution, and intelligent kicking, always encouraging his team-mates, has a great future at 9.

The Quins travel to Okehampton this sat for a merit table game, will have to show as much if not more spirit if they want to get any thing out of the match.