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Latest Match Reports

Another win for Quins (07/10/08)

Sidmouth Quins 30 Crediton 2nd 20


It was a touch of the Balearics as sunshine bathed Sidford for Sidmouth Quins friendly with Crediton, as last week another much changed side, hooker again being a problem position, but a chance encounter with Russell Turner fresh off the plane from Cancun solved this dilemma. Sidmouth had the perfect start when from the kick off Second row Adam Greaves caught the ball and drove forward Crediton infringed at the ruck allowing Tom Whelan to pop over the penalty.

Pressure was kept on the visitors half with a steady supply of good ball, centre James Robinson showed deft skills to put away Russell Turner at full speed who in turn fed winger Sam Cummins going slightly quicker, to make the corner for an unconverted try. The visitor first attack into the home sides territory hit a brick wall, with no way through, a loose ball gathered by skipper Giles Dixon, flowed through the hands of Tom Whelan, Sam Cummins and full back Joe Laban, finally for James Robinson to take an inside pass and power over for a 50metre try, Tom Whelan adding the extras.

Crediton opened their account with a penalty following an offside, but at this stage the Quins still held the upper hand, though wasting scoring opportunities. Turnover ball on the Sidmouth 22 following a pressured scrum allowed Crediton to score an unconverted try in the corner, the Quins soon cancelled out the try with one of their own under the posts from the days ‘star performer’ flanker Wade Cooper, Tom Whelan again converting.

Half Time 22 - 8

The second half initially got lost in a series of silly Sidmouth penalties and Creditons poor decision making at vital moments, though their speedy replacement winger did score wide out. Sidmouth realised their lead could soon be eroded, and that pack had to liven up, regular trainers Bryn Thomas, No8 Tom Butler, Prop Ben Halford and Wade Cooper all came to the fore, Scrum half Jon Gardner was tenacious in keeping the forwards working and distributing well to the backs.

Sidmouth were all but out of sight following a mid field trundle from Ben Halford, the ball kept alive by Wade Cooper who fed wing Max Hansford who ploughed over in the corner, for an unconverted score.

Crediton kept trying to get the ball to their pace man on the wing, when it did he outstripped the cover to score a their final converted try, a good all round performance was capped on the final whistle when Tom Whelan popped over a penalty.



Robert "Boffer" Baugh (Report ID No. 214)

3rds go down at the Blackmore (07/10/08)

Sidmouth 3rd 7 Exmouth 3rd 27


Sidmouth Thirds made a rare pilgrimage from Sidford to the Blackmore for their derby fixture with Exmouth, a solid outfit littered with experienced players in most positions. Though it was the home side who in the first quarter held the advantage, a solid defence keeping Exmouth at bay, and by taking the lead when centre Julez Menzies put boot to a loose ball on the Sidmouth 22 which kindly bounced into this arms for a 60 metre dash to the line, Fly Half Glenn Channing making a welcome return playing his first full game for over a year adding the extra points.

Exmouth’s strength up front was to be the difference between the teams, as they showed by scoring a brace of rumbling tries wide out, Glenn Channing had a chance to level the scores at the end of the half but the penalty just sailed wide.

Half Time 7 - 10

The size of the Sidmouth squad saw a whole raft of changes at half time, causing some disruption, though none of the first half commitment was lost, for a period both sides struggled for some consistency as play revolved around the middle of the park, the Thirds youthful back row of Matt Farringdon, Jack Bolden and Ian West kept the visitors half backs on their toes and the pace of abrasive centre Tom Hodge shored up the middle with Will Murray, all meaning no way through for the visitors.

Exmouth made the game safe with two quick tries courtesy again of their forwards, one a converted push over try, the final score came from a Sidmouth missed clearance kick which saw the Exmouth winger go over wide out.

Thanks to Farrier Dan Stuart for sponsoring the match.

Robert "Boffer" Baugh (Report ID No. 215)

Chiefs notch up first league victory at Clevedon (05/10/08)

CLEVEDON 1ST XV 7pts v SIDMOUTH 1ST XV 17pts

The Chiefs have at last achieved their first win in the South West 2 league and they did it away from home. They were good value for the two points in a game in which flowing rugby was at a premium. With Dan Trim leading by example the forwards always had an edge in the loose and the backs looked more dangerous but failed to finish off some promising moves.

The Chiefs kicked off with a strong cross field wind and greasy surface providing difficult conditions. They had the better of the early exchanges but good breaks by Andy Matchett and Ashley Cooper were not capitalised on. However the territorial advantage was rewarded by two Dan Retter penalties in the 15th and 23rd minutes.

Clevedon looked dangerous on the break and their kick and chase tactics kept the Sidmouth back three busy. Jamie Wardrop just won the chase for an awkwardly bouncing ball and Ashley Cooper and Sam Meadham both cleared up difficult situations to preserve the six point lead at halftime.

The lineout problems which have dogged them all season returned in the second half and Clevedon used the bonus possession to keep the Chiefs pinned inside their own half for much of the third quarter. However they made little headway against the well organised Sidmouth defence and their only threat came from a missed penalty attempt..

As the game progressed the Chiefs superior fitness became evident and they gradually regained the territorial advantage. Two more Dan Retter penalties kept the scoreboard ticking over but the home try line was rarely threatened.

Against the run of play Clevedon got themselves right back into the game with 15 minutes left to play. A long diagonal kick rolled into touch just inside the Sidmouth 22. The ball went loose at the front of the resulting lineout and the Clevedon scrum half gathered it up and just managed to touch down in the corner despite the attentions of two defenders. The fly half converted from the widest of angles into the wind.

To their credit the Chiefs did not allow their heads to drop and were soon back on the attack. A break by Retter gave the backs some space on the left but Tristan Beavis was brought down a metre short of the line and Clevedon won the resulting ruck to clear the immediate danger.

The Chiefs were soon back on the attack and increased their lead with a tried and trusted move. From a scrum just outside the the home 22 Dan Trim broke and put brother Steve through a gap. The scrum half then timed his pass perfectly to send Sam Meadham over in the right corner. The try was unconverted but the Chiefs were now two scores clear.

They remained in control to play out the closing minutes safely for a win which moves them four places up from the bottom of the league to ninth.

Terry O'Brien (Report ID No. 213)

Inspirational Colts (01/10/08)

Sidmouth Rugby
Colts Merit Table Match
Sidmouth Colts 22 Crediton Colts 12

What a difference a week can make and it has to be said that with some more senior colts back in this week’s side it was a very entertaining game. It was however Crediton who broke the ice 3 minutes into this intensely contested match following a scrum on the 5 metre line. Crediton failed to convert and Sidmouth went up a gear. Will Dunford kicked a penalty 5 minutes later and Sidmouth had the bit between their teeth. The forwards were driving hard and one drive pushed the opposition back 25 meter before releasing the ball to the backs. Centre Tom Hodge then making his trademark darting and fearless run for the line before being brought down. Again with the forwards in fine form applying good pressure it was Sam Sowden who put Sidmouth ahead with a try which was converted by Dunford. Liam Kubaczka demonstrated good organization playing scrum half slowing the ball down when needed and allowing time for the set plays to be worked effectively which resulted in Ollie Derryman going over the line in the corner for a try.
At 15 – 5 down Crediton came out for the second half with a different game plan and for the first 20 minutes they dominated the play and remained in Sidmouth’s half of the field. The forwards played their part well in keeping Crediton from scoring with some magnificent defending and Ross Collins was unlucky not to score having made a strong and lengthy run up the pitch only to be thwarted by a foot into touch. The final try came from the forwards' relentless driving and determination and Ross McGilchrist placed the ball firmly over the line. This was a good, entertaining game of rugby and will hopefully inspire the newer colts to work hard in order to achieve more positive results.

Marc Colson (Report ID No. 212)

Better performance but Chiefs lose to unbeaten Avonmouth (28/09/08)

AVONMOUTH OLD BOYS 1st XV 23pts v SIDMOUTH 1st XV 19pts

The Chiefs remain without a league win despite a spirited fight back against unbeaten Avonmouth Old Boys. In the end a lacklustre first half hour left them with too much to do but they should draw confidence from their second half performance.

The sides were well matched but the Chiefs defence was often too narrow leaving simple overlaps which Avonmouth were quick to exploit. Also the lineout remains an area of concern and once again a try was conceded following a lineout loss inside their own 22. More variation is needed with a solid front of the line option essential.

Avonmouth kicked off in perfect conditions. The early exchanges were even but the home side gradually developed territorial advantage due in main to their better ball retention in contact. Also some well judged kicks by their half backs were followed up quickly stifling any attempts by the Chiefs to counterattack. The Sidmouth defence was solid but the Old Boys steadily built up a nine point lead thanks to some accurate goal kicking by their left winger.

On the half hour an inside pass put the home number 6 through a gap inside the Sidmouth 22. He looked certain to score but lost the ball forward as he was tackled over the line. However a few minutes later a misdirected lineout throw was caught by the Avonmouth tight head prop who set off for the line. He was hauled down a couple of metres short but the number 8 was on hand to pick up and force his way over. The conversion from wide out was successful.

This seemed to snap the Chiefs out of their lethargy and they launched a sustained attack in the home 22. When a defender was penalised for a high tackle just a metre from the line a yellow card and penalty try might have resulted but the referee judged that a penalty was sufficient punishment. Dan Retter kicked the goal to make the halftime score 3-16.

The Chiefs started the second half with much more purpose. Good driving by the forwards pinned the home side into their own half and good brakes by Steve Trim and Ashley Cooper kept the defence under pressure. Eventually they conceded a penalty and Retter reduced the arrears by 3 points.

They were soon back on the attack and when Nathan Hannay fed Steve Trim on the blindside of a scrum 30 metres out the scrum half dummied his way through a gap. another dummy left the full back stranded and a clear run to the line. Retter’s conversion closed the gap to just 3 points.

Avonmouth responded immediately with the best, and ultimately decisive, move of the game. From an unpromising position on their own 22 they won a ruck and moved the ball quickly to the left. A long pass outflanked the poorly aligned Sidmouth defence putting the winger in space. An exchange of passes with his full back checked the cover defence and he ran in unopposed. He converted his own try to restore a ten point lead.
The Chiefs soon reasserted themselves and a fine handling move involving forwards and backs was only halted a couple of metres from the line where they were penalised at the ruck. Further pressure produced strong runs by Jack Pyne and Andy Matchett which were only halted by last ditch tackles.

The pressure was eventually rewarded with a Dan Retter penalty. A few minutes later Steve Trim took a quick tap penalty. With clear space ahead he was stopped almost immediately by an Avonmouth centre well short of the required 10 metres. The offender was shown a yellow card and Retter kicked the resulting penalty but it was only three points rather than a possible seven.

The Chiefs failed to benefit from the extra man and it was Avonmouth who came closest to scoring in the closing stages. A diagonal kick bounced favourably for the winger as it approached the line but as he dived for the touchdown Simeon Lewry just got a boot in to put the ball safely into touch.

Terry O'Brien (Report ID No. 210)

Chiefs score four tries but still lose to Paignton (28/09/08)

SIDMOUTH 30 v PAIGNTON 43

Sidmouth are looking like the new boys in the big school. They clearly have the ability to compete at this level but need to recover confidence in themselves and reduce the count of unforced errors.

Sidmouth were frequently penalised in their own half allowing Paignton to convert seven penalty goals. They also contirbuted to two of Paignton's tries due to poorly judged kicks.

It is true that some of the referee's decisions did not meet the full approbation of the home crowd but there is no future in blaming the man with the whistle when we have so many faults of our own to address.

Sidmouth made a great start, winning turnover ball and putting Ashley Cooper into space on the blind side. His lethal pace and finishing produced a try to put 5-0 up after only 2 minutes. As the errors crept in Paignton gradually took control and at halftime led 19-8 due to three penalties and two tries. For Sidmouth Dan Retter added a penalty.

Sidmouth made a great start to the second half winning good ball at the back of a lineout. Andy Matchett used the possession well, making a strong run through the centre before linking with Tristan Beavis who found Rhys Thomas in support to touch down for the try. Retter added the conversion. This should have got them right back into the game, but from the restart they were again penalised and scrum half Jon Gardner was given 10 minutes in the sin bin for persistent infringement.

During this period added two further tries effectively shutting Sidmouth out of the game.

In the final 10 minutes the home side made a great effort and secured two tries by Beavis and Nathan Hannay. Retter added a penalty and second conversion.

In four weeks time Sidmouth play Paignton again in the National Intermediate Cup. It will be a good opportunity to redress the balance.

Clive Dwerryhouse (Report ID No. 211)

Quins have a good day at the seaside! (25/09/08)

Paignton 2nd 17 Sidmouth Quins 41

Ear defenders should have been the order of the day for the Quins game at Paignton, reminiscent of the pyramid stage at Glastonbury, as Led Zeppelin were in full voice on the stage next to the pitch for a charity concert , with the referees whistle and line out calls being drowned out to the strains of ‘Whole Lotta Love‘.

A much changed side from the previous week saw players out of position in key areas hooker, fly half and full back, but ageless Darren Sainsbury, Jonathan Kitchen and Matt Gingell, all like the sun, shone through. Sidmouth started at full pace and soon caught the home side offside in front of the posts, rather than the kick at goal scrum half Hamish Martin took a quick tap and go to dart over unopposed. Harry Chesterton adding the extra points, then slotted a penalty over from a similar position but further out.

The home sides first real attack into the Quins 22 was nullified by good work from the forwards who turned the ball over, which was moved away to the blind side for centre Will Finch to initially make ground, then put away wing Simeon Lewry who raced in the last 50 metres. Harry Chesterton again adding the conversion.

Paignton responded with an unconverted try courtesy of a forward rumble. The Sidmouth backrow of James Salter, Wade Cooper and Sam Richardson all worked well as a unit getting to the breakdown first and thwarting the homes sides predictable inside pop passes. Wade Cooper in getting amongst the Paignton back line snapped up a loose pass and fed the supporting centre Harry Chesterton to go in under the posts for the try which he duly converted.

Half Time 24 - 5

Paignton started the second half strongly scoring from a bustling run from their centre who was driven over by the supporting forwards, but this was soon cancelled out by a missed clearance kick allowing Harry Chesterton to pounce on the loose ball for an unconverted try. He collected his hat trick following a scrum ball taken against the head. No 8 Sam Richardson released the ball quickly for the try under the posts, again Chesterton he added the extra points for a personal tally of 26 points. The Quins followed this with another team try, the ball being moved quickly through the hands for Will Finch to finish the move with wingman Sam Cummins in support.
This was a good all round team performance with both scrums and line outs working well Ben Halford, Greg Howell, Bryn Thomas and Tom Butler doing the donkey work, and subs Adam Greaves and Will Murray adding the fresh legs for the last quarter.

At the final whistle Paignton pulled back a consolation try.



Robert "Boffer" Baugh (Report ID No. 209)

Colts tested in seaside derby (23/09/08)

Exmouth Colts 24 Sidmouth Colts 3
Colts Merit Table
This was the first merit table league match of the season. Sidmouth started well and were awarded an early penalty which Tom Hodge converted. However with the bit between their teeth Exmouth piled on the pressure with a good spell of rugby scoring two tries in succession. Sidmouth made some basic errors with missed tackles and some poor handling and confidence started to dwindle. Ollie Derryman, Matt Farrington and Dan Ledger made some darting runs from some of the set plays but often found themselves isolated but it was this experience and determination from the older colts that spurred the team on and the last 5 minutes of the first half saw some better rugby.
In the second half the forwards put on a much more solid performance. Rob Jackson and Tom Smith were noticeable in set pieces and started to put Exmouth under some pressure and Tom Hodge led the way in showing how tackling should be done!! As the game continued some poor defending and slow ball allowed Exmouth through to score a further try. It’s early days for this side and the signs are there that the team can and will perform much better. “More confidence and belief in yourselves , working together as a team and going forward are what we need to do” were the words of coach Bo Vanstone. “The building blocks are there and if the team can bring what they do on the training field to each match the performance and the results will follow”.

Marc Colson (Report ID No. 208)

Reaching 50 ! (22/09/08)

Sidmouth 50 Paignton 7

Following last weeks encouraging display at Torquay, The Thirds overwhelmed Paignton, who turned up 2 men short, thanks to Colin Dunn and Phil Barrett and Adam Howe,whom sportingly played for them. With plenty of pace in the backs the ball was spun wide regularly and the home side's back 3 all crossed the whitewash, wingers Paul Shillingford, Adam Howe and Full Back, Mark (bring it up !) Bishop , Jerry Trump converted 2. Centre Julez Menzies scored just before half, time running from his own 22 and converted for a 26-0 lead. Adam Howe scored his second try, even though he was in a Paignton shirt evaded several tackles before dotting down under the posts, the visiting Full back made no mistake with the conversion. With the sun belting down and players feeling jaded, scrum half Jerry Trump scored an excellent solo try, racing from the back of a scrum from 20 metres out, side -stepping the defenders, sometimes twice ! he was also spot on with the extra 2 points. No 8 Frank Helmer scored a brace for the second week running, using his strength and enjoyment of just bashing through defences. The last try went to Bring it up Bishop who recovered after a short refreshment break. Jerry Trump converted to take the score to 50 and the the final whistle was blown with 10 minutes remaining. A great all round team performance, with Vice captain Ian West leading the way. John Hannay also made his debut in a Sidmouth shirt to make it 3 brothers at the club. Yassa Stuart also made one try saving tackle.
The match was kindly sponsored by Rodger and Tracy Aplin of Sidford Post Office
This week the 3rds travel on Sunday to H.M.P Channings Wood , if interested in taking part please call Hakim Bakrim 07875240343

Steve Channing (Report ID No. 207)

Chiefs suffer tough South West 2 league baptism at Torquay (14/09/08)

TORQUAY 1ST XV 32pts v SIDMOUTH 1ST XV 8pts

Welcome to South West Two League rugby! The Chiefs got a reality check on the standards they will need to match if they are going to survive in this league, let alone prosper.

The Chiefs competed well for the first 20 minutes and, as an important positive point, finished stronger. There is no lack of spirit and the fitness levels are good enough. However after the first quarter their set pieces were a shambles allowing Torquay to monopolize possession. They won almost every lineout for three quarters of the game and caused disruption in the scrums.

Sidmouth lost the first scrum against the head in front of their posts and were penalised attempting to retrieve the situation. Fortunately the simple kick was missed. They eventually relieved the pressure and twice Ashley Cooper got his side going forward. First he followed up and gathered a Steve Trim box kick and soon after broke through the first line of defence. On both occasions the ball was recycled quickly but kicked away rather than kept in hand.

Gradually Torquay gained the ascendancy with better ball retention and well placed kicks by the half backs which pushed the Chiefs back into their 22. Eventually in the 25th minute a lost lineout gave the Torquay forwards to chance to build up momentum with a series of drives which stretched the Sidmouth defence. When the ball was released to the backs they found enough space down the left to create a try for the right winger who had come across to make the extra man. The try was converted.

With possession drying up the Chiefs came under constant pressure but defended very well with centres Will Finch and Giles Dixon particularly bringing off several important tackles. With Rhys Thomas in the sin bin for a technical offence the pressure eventually told in injury time. The full back fielded a kick on halfway and embarked on a diagonal run to outflank the defenders following up in ones rather than as a line. He found support to send the right winger in for his second try which was unconverted.

From the restart kick Torquay were penalised and Dan Retter reduced the arrears to make the halftime score 3-12.

Restored to 15 men the Chiefs needed a positive start to the second half. Instead it was anything but as Nathan Hannay was yellow carded for an offence trying to retrieve the situation after his own handling error from the kick off. The penalty was converted and Sidmouth were again a man short. Torquay took advantage when they stole a lineout inside the Sidmouth 22 and the backrow combined well to put the number 6 over near the posts. The conversion opened up a 19 point gap.

With Hannay returned to the ranks Torquay themselves lost a player to the sin bin and the Chiefs used the extra man to have their best spell of the game. Good breaks by Will Finch and Ashley Cooper took play into the Torquay 22 where the forwards produced the continuity which had been so badly lacking. Eventually they stretched the defence enough to give the backs some room and a half break by Giles Dixon created enough space for Simeon Lewry to squeeze in at the corner for an unconverted try.

The revival was hsort lived and a mistake on the Sidmouth 22 gifted the home side a soft try which was converted and the lead was further extended with a long range penalty.

The Chiefs finished the game strongly and a powerful run by Giles Dixon almost produced a second try just before the final whistle.

Torquay finished 4th in the league last season and are one of the favourites for the title this time so this was always going to be a tough baptism. On Saturday the Chiefs entertain Paignton who were also promoted last season. This is an important game for both sides to prove their credentials at this level. The kick off is at 3.00pm.

Terry O'Brien (Report ID No. 206)

Chiefs defy weather to complete warm up with a victory (07/09/08)

SIDMOUTH 1ST XV 32pts v LAUNCESTON 2ND XV 20pts

The Chiefs completed their warm up programme with a convincing win against National Two Launceston’s 2nd team which will send them into the league campaign in buoyant mood.

An opening blitzkrieg, which matched the ferocity of the weather, produced five scintillating tries in 25 minutes to blow the visitors out of the water which soaked the Blackmore Field.

The Chiefs defied the downpour, which started soon after the kick off, to produce a devastating display of fifteen man rugby. The forwards piled into the opposition straight from the kick off to pin Launceston inside their 22. When a clearance kick failed to find touch in the third minute Sam Meadham ran the ball back to link up with his forwards. Good runs by Steve Wallace and Dan Trim took play through two rucks before new signing Nathan Hannay powered his way over from close range.

A few minutes later the Launceston fly half reduced the arrears with a penalty. However the Chiefs were soon back on the attack and a clean break by Will Finch at outside centre sent Simeon Lewry sprinting in at the left corner.

Jack Pyne produced a typical strong run to cross the try line but he was unable to touch down. From the resulting 5 metre scrum a back row move was halted but when the ball was recycled Dan Trim forced his way over for try number three.

As play entered the second quarter Launceston were penalised just inside their own half. Dan Retter kicked to the corner. From the lineout catch the pack set up a maul and drove over for Rhys Thomas to get the touchdown.

From possession on halfway the backs moved the ball swiftly to the left to send Simeon Lewry sprinting down the touchline. As the cover closed in he timed an inside pass perfectly to send Dan Retter in under the posts. The fly half added the conversion with his only successful kick of the match.

The Chiefs were unable to sustain the intensity of their play and a high penalty count enabled the visitors to get into the game. They finished the half well and scored a well deserved try when the fly half made a break inside the 22 to create a try for the full back. The conversion made the halftime score 27-10.

Sidmouth continued to concede too many penalties after the restart allowing Launceston to control territory. They closed the gap further with a second penalty but any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were dispelled with an outstanding try 14 minutes into the half. With the Sidmouth scrum under pressure on their own ten metre line Nathan Hannay picked up and linked with replacement scrum half Jon Gardner. He made ground before linking with Ashley Cooper on the left wing. A return pass to Gardner took play to the 22 before Hannay appeared to finish the move off in the corner.

With the Sidmouth scrum under increasing pressure Hannay and Andrew Eustace were yellow carded in close succession for persistent infringements. Down to 13 men the Chiefs did well to resist two pushover attempts from 5 metre scrums but inevitably Launceston eventually found an overlap for the left winger to score a converted try.

As soon as Sidmouth were restored to a full compliment Launceston lost a player to the sin bin. This took the pressure off and the Chiefs seemed to have scored again when Jon Gardner touched down from a kick and chase but the referee recalled play for a previous offence. However they played out the remaining time comfortably.

On Saturday the Chiefs take on one of the favourites for the league title when they travel to Torquay. They can go with some confidence but there will be question marks over the scrum and they will need to improve their discipline at the breakdown to reduce the penalty count.

Terry O'Brien (Report ID No. 205)

Chiefs win against Crediton continues good build up for league (31/08/08)

SIDMOUTH RUGBY SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST 2008

Sidmouth Rugby Club are now threequarters of the way through their pre season match programme. The results have been very encouraging for the forthcoming season in the South West Two West League and reflect the excellent attendance at training.

In all more than 30 players have been used in the three games played and have had the opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the Chiefs squad for the first league game at Torquay on 13th September.

The first match was played at the Brickfields home of Plymouth Albion against their reserve side the Westcountry Wanderers. The home side won 39-17 but the Chiefs competed well against professional opposition and scored three well constructed tries.

Next they travelled to South West Two champions Exmouth and shook the Cockles with an excellent 22-19 win. This performance gave every indication that the Chiefs will be competitive in their new league.

On Saturday they played their first game on the Blackmore. The visitors were Crediton who will play two leagues lower in the Cornwall and Devon division. The game was played in four 20 minute quarters with a number of substitutions being made. The Chiefs starting line up included the former Colts half back pairing of Hamish Martin and Tom Whelan and three new signings; forwards Nathan and Jason Hannay, who have moved over the hill from Honiton, and Simeon Lewry on the left wing.

Another new signing Stuart Salway, a hooker who has also made the move from Honiton, played impressively at Exmouth. Two new prop forwards are also due to become available in the next few weeks.

SIDMOUTH 1ST XV 31pts v CREDITON 1ST XV 0pts

The Chiefs dominated the opening exchanges playing fast fifteen man rugby. Both wingmen had scoring opportunities but were brought down just short of the line by a determined cover defence. The Chiefs eventually opened the scoring just before the end of the first quarter when they turned over possession at a ruck just inside the Crediton half. The ball was moved to the blindside where winger Ashley Cooper made the decisive break to send Jamie Wardrop on a clear run to the corner. The try was unconverted.

Soon after the restart another turnover was forced by a crunching Giles Dixon tackle and the ball was moved quickly to space on the left where Simeon Lowry showed a good turn of speed to outpace the cover from halfway for a second unconverted try.

The third and best try of the match came just before halftime. Good interpassing by the forwards, with Dan Trim and Nathan Hannay prominent, took play into the visitors 22. Centre Glenn Channing, playing his first game for more than a year, made further inroads before setting up a ruck. The ball was quickly recycled and Tom Whelan made a half break to put Giles Dixon in under the posts. Whelan converted.

The Chiefs took their foot off the pedal in the second half. Perhaps a case of complacency or maybe the number of changes affected continuity. Whatever the cause Crediton dominated territory. However the Sidmouth defence proved to be resilient and kept a clean sheet. As a bonus they added two breakaway tries from Sam Meadham who had replaced Jamie Wardrop at full back. The first came from an interception when Credtion had created an overlap near the Sidmouth line. He sprinted 80 metres to score under the posts. Dan Retter added the conversion. Later he was on the end of an overlap after a turnover just outside the Sidmouth 22. Again he touched down under the posts to give Retter a simple conversion kick.

Meadham added to a good performance with a try saving tackle at the start of the final quarter. The Chiefs finished the game strongly and were unlucky not to add to their score when Nick Mills touched down following a tap penalty move only to be recalled for a knock on.

On Saturday the squad will be reduced to 21 for the final warm up game. Launceston 2nds will provide the opposition at the Blackmore kicking off at 3.00pm.


Terry O'Brien (Report ID No. 204)

Chiefs secure promotion in dramatic fight back (27/04/08)

SIDMOUTH 1ST XV 23pts v OLD REDCLIFFIANS 1ST XV 20pts

Sporting drama doesn’t get any better than the amazing comeback which secured the Chiefs a place in South West League Two for next season. The 700 spectators lining the Blackmore certainly got full value for their admission fees.

The Chiefs found themselves 7 points down with just 5 minutes of normal time left of a high quality, fast paced, energy sapping encounter. Somehow they summoned up the inspiration and skill from tired minds and bodies to first draw level and then win with the last action of the game.

Sidmouth kicked off in perfect conditions and showed a clear intent to move the ball wide at every opportunity to test their mobility against the bigger Old Reds pack of forwards. The tactic gave them territorial advantage but no score despite promising runs by Ashley Cooper and Tristan Beavis.

When the first scrum eventually came the visitors pack at last had the opportunity to exert their weight advantage and show the quality of the their play. A strike against the head midway through the half enabled the number 8 to initiate a move which covered 40 metres and almost produced a try but for some excellent cover defence. The Chiefs replied soon after with a similar effort following a quick tap penalty. First Andy Matchett then Cooper got within 5 metres of the line.

During this passage of play the Old Reds flanker committed an offence which earned him a spell in the sin bin. The chiefs made the best of the extra man by taking the lead. Andy Matchett joined the line from full back to punch through the midfield and set up a ruck inside the Old Reds 22. The ball was quickly recycled to an overlap on the left where Ashley Cooper rounded the full back well to score in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

After a fine cover tackle by Harry Chesterton had snuffed out a dangerous move it was Sidmouth’s turn to incur the wrath of the referee. Liam O’Connor was yellow carded for an offence spotted by the touch judge. Old Reds immediately capitalised on the advantage. The resulting penalty was kicked to the corner and a catch and drive move ended with the number 3 forcing his way over. The conversion gave them a 5-7 halftime lead.

O’Connor was reinstated a few minutes after the restart but was quickly followed into the bin by Dan Retter who was guilty of a dangerous tackle. The resulting penalty was converted to open up a 5 point lead. This was soon cancelled out by a similar effort by Harry Chesterton deputising in the kicking role.

Ten minutes into the half there occurred what seemed for a long time to be the critical action of the game. The Chiefs took a quick lineout throw near their 22 but a long pass was intercepted and the Old Reds right winger scored an unconverted try.
The Chiefs battled back and after a series of rucks in the Old Reds 22 Jack Pyne was on the end of an overlap to score in the left corner to reduce the lead.

As the game went on the Chiefs looked the fitter side and more likely to score. However on a rare visit to the Sidmouth 22 Old Reds kept possession well through several phases until the Chiefs eventually ran out of defenders and the outside centre scored wide out on the right. The conversion attempt drifted wide but with only 5 minutes left this looked to be a decisive score.

However the Chiefs had other ideas and when replacement flanker Phil Spenser stole an Old Reds lineout throw on halfway it gave the backs a bit of space. A dart by Harry Chesterton caused uncertainty to the defence and Tristan Beavis took advantage to cut through a gap. He timed his pass to Ashley Cooper perfectly but the wingman still had much to do. His outside run just beat the cover defence for a touchdown in the left corner. Dan Retter chose the perfect moment to land his first kick of the game as he bisected the uprights to level the scores.

From the restart kick the Chiefs decided to keep the ball in hand rather than kick for ground. This had the advantage of keeping possession but ran the risk of conceding a penalty and probably the game. However they gradually worked their way out of the 22 then towards halfway and out of kicking range. As they tired the Old Reds resistance lessened. Once they had worked their way far enough into the opposing half the ball was moved out Dan Retter who launched a drop goal attempt from 35 metres. As the ball approached the posts the cheers of the crowd signalled that it was straight enough but was it long enough? As it just crept over the bar the cheers became a roar which drowned out the final whistle which immediately followed the referees signal that the kick was good.

The Pyne’s Bar man of the match was Tim Phipps sponsored by Dean and Dyball.

Terry O'Brien (Report ID No. 203)