Sat 6 Sep 2025
Sidmouth came away from Devonport with some mixed emotions, on one hand they looked very dangerous with the ball in hand, but with the league now as competitive as it is, you need to have 15 players on the pitch to be in with a chance, playing 30 minutes against a dangerous Devonport side with 14 players was always going to be an up-hill challenge.
Devonport came out of the blocks the fastest and opened the scoring down the right wing with a well worked phase play move, a lofty pass to winger who dotted down outwide, the conversion was missed.
The home side continued the fast start scoring quickly to make the score 12-0.
With Sidmouth’s first decent attack, they got through the phases and Lock Dan Armstrong powered through the Services defence, Lewis Tose adding the extras.
Sidmouth were back under pressure and it was only a matter of time before the ref pulled out his 1st yellow for the away side, winger Tom Price was binned for not rolling away.
Credit to Services they made the extra man count every-time, from the scrum they broke down the empty wing to score, the home flyhalf missing the kick (17-7).
With Sidmouth 3 tries to 1 down, the attitude in attack was courageous as they kept plugging away and was eventually reward through centre George Locke, Tose adding his second successful conversion in a difficult side wind. (17-14)
Sidmouth’s dominance continued and showed at the Lineout, resulting in a well worked forwards try, Shaun Malton eventually coming out with the ball, Tose added his 3rd for the afternoon (17-21).
With the half time whistle fast approaching Services showed their experience and took full advantage of a mistake in the midfield, scoring an unconverted try, taking a one point lead into the break (22-21).
From the kick off the home side gathered the ball back and Sidmouth were reduced to 14 men for the 2nd time as Shaun Malton was carded for a tip tackle. Services being super clinical with the man advantage scoring out wide (27-22).
Services extended their points tally against 14 men with a straight forward penalty in front of the posts (30-22)
Sidmouth managed to get back into the game from a dominant catch and drive move, that saw big Mart Keywood scoring his 1st Sidmouth try, the kick just drifted wide of the uprights (30-27)
Sidmouth were now well and truly in the game, looking to push for the victory on the road, but as the story of the game, they were on the receiving end of their 3rd yellow card as Connor Preston was given a break following a cynical offence.
Any hopes of an upset was put to bed when the home side made the extra man count out wide, the fly half added a touchline conversion to make the score 37-27.
Sidmouth came close to picking up a losing bonus point but couldn’t find the final pass.
Harry Emmett was named as Sidmouth’s player of the day with his relentless defensive efforts, whilst there was some disappointment with the result, a try bonus point on the road is a silver lining.
The 1st XV welcome Exmouth to the Blackmore next week, with the 2s opening up their season with a friendly against Ivybridge.
Report by Glenn Channing
Devonport came out of the blocks the fastest and opened the scoring down the right wing with a well worked phase play move, a lofty pass to winger who dotted down outwide, the conversion was missed.
The home side continued the fast start scoring quickly to make the score 12-0.
With Sidmouth’s first decent attack, they got through the phases and Lock Dan Armstrong powered through the Services defence, Lewis Tose adding the extras.
Sidmouth were back under pressure and it was only a matter of time before the ref pulled out his 1st yellow for the away side, winger Tom Price was binned for not rolling away.
Credit to Services they made the extra man count every-time, from the scrum they broke down the empty wing to score, the home flyhalf missing the kick (17-7).
With Sidmouth 3 tries to 1 down, the attitude in attack was courageous as they kept plugging away and was eventually reward through centre George Locke, Tose adding his second successful conversion in a difficult side wind. (17-14)
Sidmouth’s dominance continued and showed at the Lineout, resulting in a well worked forwards try, Shaun Malton eventually coming out with the ball, Tose added his 3rd for the afternoon (17-21).
With the half time whistle fast approaching Services showed their experience and took full advantage of a mistake in the midfield, scoring an unconverted try, taking a one point lead into the break (22-21).
From the kick off the home side gathered the ball back and Sidmouth were reduced to 14 men for the 2nd time as Shaun Malton was carded for a tip tackle. Services being super clinical with the man advantage scoring out wide (27-22).
Services extended their points tally against 14 men with a straight forward penalty in front of the posts (30-22)
Sidmouth managed to get back into the game from a dominant catch and drive move, that saw big Mart Keywood scoring his 1st Sidmouth try, the kick just drifted wide of the uprights (30-27)
Sidmouth were now well and truly in the game, looking to push for the victory on the road, but as the story of the game, they were on the receiving end of their 3rd yellow card as Connor Preston was given a break following a cynical offence.
Any hopes of an upset was put to bed when the home side made the extra man count out wide, the fly half added a touchline conversion to make the score 37-27.
Sidmouth came close to picking up a losing bonus point but couldn’t find the final pass.
Harry Emmett was named as Sidmouth’s player of the day with his relentless defensive efforts, whilst there was some disappointment with the result, a try bonus point on the road is a silver lining.
The 1st XV welcome Exmouth to the Blackmore next week, with the 2s opening up their season with a friendly against Ivybridge.
Report by Glenn Channing
