Having recorded back to back losses in the league the Quins bounced back in style and returned to winning ways at Cullompton last Saturday, picking a much needed 14-36 bonus point win.
Despite the score this was a tough battle throughout and the home side dominated the opening exchanges as their powerful forwards made yards and drew penalties form the Sidmouth defence who put in yet another stellar performance, particularly in the first half.
After going close through a Harvey Green chip and chase the Quins finally broke the deadlock after a solid scrum set the platform for Jake Allen to get the back line moving. Following a number of phases flanker Olly Marsh broke the line and fed Adam Howe who drew two tacklers before off-loading to Harry Guy who showed great skill in flip passing the ball out to hooker Neil Barratt who scampered over. Allen added the extras from the tee.
Marsh was at it again 5 minutes later as he seared through the Cullompton defence on halfway before an ankle tap saw slide to halt inside the home 22. Charles Edwards at scrum half got the ball in motion quickly and after a number of phases through the forwards it was Allen who glided through the defensive line to score and then convert his own try.
Cullompton were struggling to cope with the pace and power of Sidmouth’s runners and it was centre Jack Hembrow who made the next foray in to the red and black shirts, winning a penalty which Allen pinged into the corner. Whilst cully stole the lineout Sidmouth’s relentless defence forced the knock on and from the resulting scrum the Quins went two phases before snapping back on the blindside where skipper Tom Butler went through the gap to register Sidmouth’s 3rd try and a 21-0 lead at half time.
The opening salvos of the second half saw Sidmouth continue their dominance. The scrum in particular was looking particularly good, with Barratt ably flanked by Chris Otway and Ned Coles dominating proceedings. The usually reliable lineout had an off day though and this led to Cully managing to relieve the pressure that was building.
Marsh and Scott Henderson both went close to scoring in the early part of the second half as Sidmouth continued to build pressure, but it was Alfie Collins who finally got the Quins’ bonus point try with a powerful pick and drive from 5m out, Allen was again on target.
As the rain started to fall the Quins fell into a bonus point induced malaise which allowed the home side to build first some momentum and then some points and within 10 minutes of looking like the game was done and dusted at 0-28 a couple of lapses in concentration and it was back to 14-28 and game on.
But that was as good as it got for the home side as the Quins, after some frank words from skipper Butler, got themselves together and started to build their phases. After setting up good position Allen released Harry Guy who went through the gap like a hot knife through butter and sprinted away from the cover defence to score in the corner.
Sidmouth continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages but the deteriorating weather meant balls went loose and opportunities went begging. There was still time for Allen to complete an impressive 16 point haul with a last minute penalty which put a well deserved gloss on the scoreline.
There are two home games remaining for the Quins before Christmas with Newton Abbot visiting the Blackmore this weekend and Teignmouth heading up on the 21st December. With New Cross having a blank weekend Sidmouth will return to second place in the league with a win.
Sidmouth II: Ned Coles, Neil Barratt, Chris Otway, Adam Howe (Nick Mills), Tom Butler, Alfie Collins, Ollie Marsh, Ryan Davies, Charles Edwards (Alex Clemo-Crosby), Jake Allen, Sam Basnett, Jack Hembrow, Scott Henderson, Harvey Green, Harry Guy (James Ogley)
Scorers: J Allen (Try, 4 Con, Pen), T Butler, N Barratt, A Collins, H Guy
Man of the Match: Ollie Marsh
Despite the score this was a tough battle throughout and the home side dominated the opening exchanges as their powerful forwards made yards and drew penalties form the Sidmouth defence who put in yet another stellar performance, particularly in the first half.
After going close through a Harvey Green chip and chase the Quins finally broke the deadlock after a solid scrum set the platform for Jake Allen to get the back line moving. Following a number of phases flanker Olly Marsh broke the line and fed Adam Howe who drew two tacklers before off-loading to Harry Guy who showed great skill in flip passing the ball out to hooker Neil Barratt who scampered over. Allen added the extras from the tee.
Marsh was at it again 5 minutes later as he seared through the Cullompton defence on halfway before an ankle tap saw slide to halt inside the home 22. Charles Edwards at scrum half got the ball in motion quickly and after a number of phases through the forwards it was Allen who glided through the defensive line to score and then convert his own try.
Cullompton were struggling to cope with the pace and power of Sidmouth’s runners and it was centre Jack Hembrow who made the next foray in to the red and black shirts, winning a penalty which Allen pinged into the corner. Whilst cully stole the lineout Sidmouth’s relentless defence forced the knock on and from the resulting scrum the Quins went two phases before snapping back on the blindside where skipper Tom Butler went through the gap to register Sidmouth’s 3rd try and a 21-0 lead at half time.
The opening salvos of the second half saw Sidmouth continue their dominance. The scrum in particular was looking particularly good, with Barratt ably flanked by Chris Otway and Ned Coles dominating proceedings. The usually reliable lineout had an off day though and this led to Cully managing to relieve the pressure that was building.
Marsh and Scott Henderson both went close to scoring in the early part of the second half as Sidmouth continued to build pressure, but it was Alfie Collins who finally got the Quins’ bonus point try with a powerful pick and drive from 5m out, Allen was again on target.
As the rain started to fall the Quins fell into a bonus point induced malaise which allowed the home side to build first some momentum and then some points and within 10 minutes of looking like the game was done and dusted at 0-28 a couple of lapses in concentration and it was back to 14-28 and game on.
But that was as good as it got for the home side as the Quins, after some frank words from skipper Butler, got themselves together and started to build their phases. After setting up good position Allen released Harry Guy who went through the gap like a hot knife through butter and sprinted away from the cover defence to score in the corner.
Sidmouth continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages but the deteriorating weather meant balls went loose and opportunities went begging. There was still time for Allen to complete an impressive 16 point haul with a last minute penalty which put a well deserved gloss on the scoreline.
There are two home games remaining for the Quins before Christmas with Newton Abbot visiting the Blackmore this weekend and Teignmouth heading up on the 21st December. With New Cross having a blank weekend Sidmouth will return to second place in the league with a win.
Sidmouth II: Ned Coles, Neil Barratt, Chris Otway, Adam Howe (Nick Mills), Tom Butler, Alfie Collins, Ollie Marsh, Ryan Davies, Charles Edwards (Alex Clemo-Crosby), Jake Allen, Sam Basnett, Jack Hembrow, Scott Henderson, Harvey Green, Harry Guy (James Ogley)
Scorers: J Allen (Try, 4 Con, Pen), T Butler, N Barratt, A Collins, H Guy
Man of the Match: Ollie Marsh
