Sidmouth paid the penalty for fielding a weakened team for this Devon Senior Cup local derby against Exmouth, who play in the league above the Chiefs.
To their credit, the players selected could not be faulted for their spirit and determination, which had their opponents pinned inside their own half for long periods of the first half. However, the writing was on the wall in the first ten minutes as the Exmouth backs ran in two fine tries, one by the right winger, who then provided an inside pass for his outside centre to finish the move off. The second was converted by the fly half.
Thanks to a superior scrum and Exmouth indiscipline, the Chiefs took control for much of the remainder of the half. The Cockles conceded seven penalties in ten minutes and lost a forward to the sinbin.
The Chiefs took full advantage and cut the deficit with a pushover try from a five-metre scrum. Jed Reid made the touchdown and Dan Retter kicked the conversion.
On a rare visit to the Sidmouth half, the Exmouth fly half kicked a penalty to make the halftime score 7-15.
From the restart kick, the Exmouth forwards took control. They laid the platform for three tries in quick succession to end the game as a contest.
The fly half went over form close range after a series of rucks had stretched in the Sidmouth defence. The forwards scored from a lineout catch-and-drive and the scrum half dived over from the base of a ruck on the line.
As the Sidmouth players tired, the Exmouth backs took over with four tries from moves started in their own half. The right winger scored his second at the end of a move initiated by a quick lineout. The number 6 finished a counterattack from a missed touch kick. The full back scored after a solo run from his own half. And the left winger finished off another long-range handling move.
But for some excellent cover tackling by Jake Allen and Sam Heathcote, the score could have been much higher. And the commendable spirit of the whole team saw Exmouth pinned inside their own 22 at the final whistle.
On Saturday the Chiefs are at home against Wellington kicking off at 3.00pm.
The Quins travel to Okehampton.
To their credit, the players selected could not be faulted for their spirit and determination, which had their opponents pinned inside their own half for long periods of the first half. However, the writing was on the wall in the first ten minutes as the Exmouth backs ran in two fine tries, one by the right winger, who then provided an inside pass for his outside centre to finish the move off. The second was converted by the fly half.
Thanks to a superior scrum and Exmouth indiscipline, the Chiefs took control for much of the remainder of the half. The Cockles conceded seven penalties in ten minutes and lost a forward to the sinbin.
The Chiefs took full advantage and cut the deficit with a pushover try from a five-metre scrum. Jed Reid made the touchdown and Dan Retter kicked the conversion.
On a rare visit to the Sidmouth half, the Exmouth fly half kicked a penalty to make the halftime score 7-15.
From the restart kick, the Exmouth forwards took control. They laid the platform for three tries in quick succession to end the game as a contest.
The fly half went over form close range after a series of rucks had stretched in the Sidmouth defence. The forwards scored from a lineout catch-and-drive and the scrum half dived over from the base of a ruck on the line.
As the Sidmouth players tired, the Exmouth backs took over with four tries from moves started in their own half. The right winger scored his second at the end of a move initiated by a quick lineout. The number 6 finished a counterattack from a missed touch kick. The full back scored after a solo run from his own half. And the left winger finished off another long-range handling move.
But for some excellent cover tackling by Jake Allen and Sam Heathcote, the score could have been much higher. And the commendable spirit of the whole team saw Exmouth pinned inside their own 22 at the final whistle.
On Saturday the Chiefs are at home against Wellington kicking off at 3.00pm.
The Quins travel to Okehampton.
