Sat 1 Mar 2025
Sidmouth put in a lively performance against promotion chasing Barnstaple but could not breach their well organised defence until Rory O'Brien scored a consolation try with quickly taken tap penalty in injury time.
Rory O'Brien also opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty after just three minutes. However Barnstaple took the lead ten minutes later when a series of rucks on the Sidmouth line stretched the defence to give their outside centre an opening to cross for the opening try which was converted by the full back from wide out.
When Barnstaple knocked on just outside their own 22 Shaun Malton snapped up the loose ball and was tackled just short of the line. A brief period of pressure in front of the posts came to an end with a knock on.
Barnstaple extended their lead on their next visit into the Sidmouth half with a penalty kick. Much of the remainder of the half was spent in the Barnstaple half but the Chiefs could not break down the defence and the half ended with Barnstaple leading 10-3.
Ten minutes after the restart, Barnstaple extended their lead with a try from a lineout catch-and-drive play, which was converted.
As the half progressed, Barnstaple took control in the scrums which won them a series of penalties and territorial advantage which they used to score two further tries from lineouts inside the Sidmouth 22. The first by a strong running forward from close range and the second from another lineout catch-and-drive. The first of which was converted.
The Chiefs had the last word with the O'Brien try, which he also converted.
On Saturday the Chiefs travel to top-of-the-league Brixham.
On the Blackmore Field the Quins entertain Cullompton 2 kicking off at 2.30pm.
The Colts play Newton abbot Colts at Sidford with a 2.30pm kick off.
Rory O'Brien also opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty after just three minutes. However Barnstaple took the lead ten minutes later when a series of rucks on the Sidmouth line stretched the defence to give their outside centre an opening to cross for the opening try which was converted by the full back from wide out.
When Barnstaple knocked on just outside their own 22 Shaun Malton snapped up the loose ball and was tackled just short of the line. A brief period of pressure in front of the posts came to an end with a knock on.
Barnstaple extended their lead on their next visit into the Sidmouth half with a penalty kick. Much of the remainder of the half was spent in the Barnstaple half but the Chiefs could not break down the defence and the half ended with Barnstaple leading 10-3.
Ten minutes after the restart, Barnstaple extended their lead with a try from a lineout catch-and-drive play, which was converted.
As the half progressed, Barnstaple took control in the scrums which won them a series of penalties and territorial advantage which they used to score two further tries from lineouts inside the Sidmouth 22. The first by a strong running forward from close range and the second from another lineout catch-and-drive. The first of which was converted.
The Chiefs had the last word with the O'Brien try, which he also converted.
On Saturday the Chiefs travel to top-of-the-league Brixham.
On the Blackmore Field the Quins entertain Cullompton 2 kicking off at 2.30pm.
The Colts play Newton abbot Colts at Sidford with a 2.30pm kick off.
