Sat 15 Mar 2025, 14:00
Sidmouth travelled to Barnstaple at a weeks notice to contest the Devon Senior Cup final for the first time since 1978. Unfortunately, the short notice meant a few players were unavailable including the influential Shaun Malton and Phil Dollman.
Barnstaple proved to be too strong in the circumstances with their powerful forwards laying a platform for their speedy backs to cash in. The early signs were not good but the Chiefs managed to snuff out the first three dangerous moves with some determined cover defence. However, after ten minutes Barnstaple took the lead with a good handling move from their own half with a try by the hooker in the left corner. The fly half added the conversion. In the middle of the half the Barnstaple forwards scored two tries from Lineout catch-and-drive moves, the second of which was converted.
The Chiefs defended with great determination to prevent any further scores until first half injury time, when the fly half found a gap to score from close range. His conversion made the halftime score 0-26.
The Chiefs started the second half with great purpose and showed they had a few attacking moves of their own. Four minutes after the restart the Barnstaple number five, with his side under pressure close to their line, was yellow carded. From a tap penalty move, Skipper Haydon Down powered his way over for Sidmouth's opening score. Rory O'Brien added the conversion.
Encouraged by this success, the Chiefs came close to a second score with a fine handling move from their own 22. However, on their next visit to the Sidmouth half Barnstaple kicked a penalty and Harry Emmett was shown the yellow card. A few minutes later the inside centre found a gap to extend the lead further.
Midway through the half, three poor clearance kicks gifted Barnstaple three soft tries against a tiring defence. All were converted.
With five minutes to go, Barnstaple lost their number four to a yellow card and the Chiefs capitalised with a fine move to send Tom Price over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Deep into injury time, the Barnstaple right winger won the chase for a kick ahead to touch down for a tenth try. The conversion brought matters to a conclusion.
On Saturday the Chiefs entertain Chew Valley for the penultimate league game with a 2.30pm kick off.
The Quins travel to Newton Abbot.
Barnstaple proved to be too strong in the circumstances with their powerful forwards laying a platform for their speedy backs to cash in. The early signs were not good but the Chiefs managed to snuff out the first three dangerous moves with some determined cover defence. However, after ten minutes Barnstaple took the lead with a good handling move from their own half with a try by the hooker in the left corner. The fly half added the conversion. In the middle of the half the Barnstaple forwards scored two tries from Lineout catch-and-drive moves, the second of which was converted.
The Chiefs defended with great determination to prevent any further scores until first half injury time, when the fly half found a gap to score from close range. His conversion made the halftime score 0-26.
The Chiefs started the second half with great purpose and showed they had a few attacking moves of their own. Four minutes after the restart the Barnstaple number five, with his side under pressure close to their line, was yellow carded. From a tap penalty move, Skipper Haydon Down powered his way over for Sidmouth's opening score. Rory O'Brien added the conversion.
Encouraged by this success, the Chiefs came close to a second score with a fine handling move from their own 22. However, on their next visit to the Sidmouth half Barnstaple kicked a penalty and Harry Emmett was shown the yellow card. A few minutes later the inside centre found a gap to extend the lead further.
Midway through the half, three poor clearance kicks gifted Barnstaple three soft tries against a tiring defence. All were converted.
With five minutes to go, Barnstaple lost their number four to a yellow card and the Chiefs capitalised with a fine move to send Tom Price over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Deep into injury time, the Barnstaple right winger won the chase for a kick ahead to touch down for a tenth try. The conversion brought matters to a conclusion.
On Saturday the Chiefs entertain Chew Valley for the penultimate league game with a 2.30pm kick off.
The Quins travel to Newton Abbot.
