Under 12s Match Reports
Sidmouth U12's v Avodale U12's Tour
U12s Tested
On a glorious day for rugby, a small but tight-knit Sidmouth U12s team welcomed touring Avonvale to the Blackmore. From the opening exchanges it was clear it was going to be a test for the home side, Avonvale taking a deserved lead while their hosts settled. Gradually Sidmouth played their way back into the game and started to believe they could match their opponents' aggression and skill. Welsford, Stokes and Lowe galvanised the forwards to compete up front, while
Bagwell, Tidds and Stamp ran the ball purposefully in the backs.
Early in the second half they got their reward when Bagwell crossed after fine handling and support play. The arrival of Hayman added slickness to the back play while Reed, Norton and Madeley ensured plenty of possession came their way. Malec finished a fine move to edge Sidmouth into the lead, but Avonvale responded with renewed vigour to level shortly afterwards. In response, Sidmouth raised their game again, dominating the remainder of the match. Malec out- paced the defence to finish off a good passage of team play and restore the lead. FitzHenry fielded Avonvale's last venture into Sidmouth territory to set up another attacking position and put pressure on the visitors' defence. However, the final whistle went before this could be turned into another score.
Well done to all the players for a satisfying and encouraging performance in a tough fixture.
Sidmouth U12 vs Exeter Chiefs
The all-weather pitch allowed play to continue at Exeter Chiefs in a game of three thirds, writes Chris Robinson.
Sidmouth started well against a considerably larger and improved opposition with speedy play and quick hands eventually rewarded and converted. Exeter responded without pause, however, and the first session closed level.
The break did Sidmouth no favours, unsettling their high tempo rhythm and sucking them into a more physical game which resulted in a more defensive line and a middle third without score.
The final third continued in the same vein and the result was only going one way. Despite notable performances from the forwards and centres against larger opposition, Exeter ground out a further try and conversion to complete a rare win.
Although missing key players, Sidmouth learnt a valuable lesson about how to play against larger opposition.
Sidmouth under 12s v Kingsbridge
18 Sidmouth players made the long trip to Kingsbridge where they came up against a well organised team. Sid got straight into the thick of things and good teamwork soon paid off when they had Kingsbridge held close to their line and the opposition illegally tried to kick the ball on the ground, a penalty for Sidmouth was taken quickly passed through the line to Hubble on the wing who ran through the defence to score Sid’s first try with Harris adding the conversion.
Sidmouth then were on the wrong side of many 50-50 decisions but kept defending but some strong runs from Kingsbridge saw them run in a couple of tries. The second half saw Sid play harder and more determined to win as much ball as they could and some excellent scrimmaging saw them get plenty of ball to work with and despite being four tries to one down the chances were soon there for Sid to add a few more of their own.
Their next score came from Hubble again who showed strength and speed to get through with Lowe adding the extra points before Harris made a darting run through the middle of the field to score and convert his own try. Sidmouth threw everything they had at the game but luck was obviously not on their side as time ran out to find the levelling score. It was a fantastic team performance and who knows maybe when they meet again the result might be on their side.
