Sat 13 Sep 2025, 14:30
Sidmouth’s opening try came from Shaun Malton, who picked off the lazy guards around the breakdown to stroll in for the score. Lewis Tose hit the post with the conversion. Exmouth replied within minutes through a try from their full-back after a good offload from the outside centre, though the kick was unsuccessful. The travelling side doubled their lead after five minutes with a carbon-copy set-piece move, this time a neat offload from the full-back to set up the outside centre. The fly-half added the extras to make it 5–12.
Sidmouth stuck to their plan of moving the big Exmouth pack around and were rewarded with a penalty, which was kicked into the corner. From the lineout, the forwards took over and outmuscled the opposition to score a well-worked try, with Tose on target for the conversion. Just before the half-time whistle, the Exmouth pack did what they do best, powering over for a pushover try to extend their lead to 12–17.
The half-time talk was simple: stick to the plan and stay in the fight, as there was strong belief amongst the players that the win was there for the taking. The second half saw Exmouth pile on the pressure, but Sidmouth’s scramble defence proved too strong for their one-out runners. An injury to winger Cian Warren meant Richie Drewett moved out wide, while Cam Grainger shifted into the familiar territory of scrum-half.
From nowhere, Drewett made a break down the blindside, only to be tap-tackled metres from the line. Sidmouth stayed composed in the final third, with Man of the Match Malton picking up his second try of the game. Tose’s conversion drifted marginally wide, leaving the score 17–17 with five minutes to go. A draw would have been a fair result. But with the clock running down, a dominant Exmouth scrum gave their fly-half a simple kick in front of the posts to edge ahead 17–20.
There was just enough time for the restart. Exmouth gathered, secured possession, and went through the phases to wind down the clock. With moments left, a huge counter-ruck from the Sidmouth pack forced a turnover and gave the home side one last chance to attack.
Exmouth’s discipline under pressure cost them dearly, conceding metres and players. Reduced to 13 men after repeated cynical infringements, they invited Sidmouth forward. The referee added another five minutes to an already tense finish. Sidmouth had the option to take three points and settle for the draw, but the nature of this group was clear—every player believed the win was there. They kicked to the corner. From the lineout, the forwards went to work, and eventually the overlap told, flanker Will Cornish crossing out wide. With the final kick of the game, Tose slotted the conversion to seal a dramatic 24–20 win. The roar from the home crowd was said to be heard as far as the cricket club.
There were notable performances from Toby Sanford, making his 1st XV debut after progressing from the Colts, and from new centre Ben Phillips, who also made his league debut.
Collectively, the squad’s performance and self-belief were outstanding—well matched by the noise from a packed-out Blackmore. With the first win under their belts, all attention now turns to Topsham for another local derby. The new boys have made a flying start to life at level 5, so another tough battle awaits.
Our 2nd XV open their season at home this Saturday (20th) against North Tawton.
Sidmouth stuck to their plan of moving the big Exmouth pack around and were rewarded with a penalty, which was kicked into the corner. From the lineout, the forwards took over and outmuscled the opposition to score a well-worked try, with Tose on target for the conversion. Just before the half-time whistle, the Exmouth pack did what they do best, powering over for a pushover try to extend their lead to 12–17.
The half-time talk was simple: stick to the plan and stay in the fight, as there was strong belief amongst the players that the win was there for the taking. The second half saw Exmouth pile on the pressure, but Sidmouth’s scramble defence proved too strong for their one-out runners. An injury to winger Cian Warren meant Richie Drewett moved out wide, while Cam Grainger shifted into the familiar territory of scrum-half.
From nowhere, Drewett made a break down the blindside, only to be tap-tackled metres from the line. Sidmouth stayed composed in the final third, with Man of the Match Malton picking up his second try of the game. Tose’s conversion drifted marginally wide, leaving the score 17–17 with five minutes to go. A draw would have been a fair result. But with the clock running down, a dominant Exmouth scrum gave their fly-half a simple kick in front of the posts to edge ahead 17–20.
There was just enough time for the restart. Exmouth gathered, secured possession, and went through the phases to wind down the clock. With moments left, a huge counter-ruck from the Sidmouth pack forced a turnover and gave the home side one last chance to attack.
Exmouth’s discipline under pressure cost them dearly, conceding metres and players. Reduced to 13 men after repeated cynical infringements, they invited Sidmouth forward. The referee added another five minutes to an already tense finish. Sidmouth had the option to take three points and settle for the draw, but the nature of this group was clear—every player believed the win was there. They kicked to the corner. From the lineout, the forwards went to work, and eventually the overlap told, flanker Will Cornish crossing out wide. With the final kick of the game, Tose slotted the conversion to seal a dramatic 24–20 win. The roar from the home crowd was said to be heard as far as the cricket club.
There were notable performances from Toby Sanford, making his 1st XV debut after progressing from the Colts, and from new centre Ben Phillips, who also made his league debut.
Collectively, the squad’s performance and self-belief were outstanding—well matched by the noise from a packed-out Blackmore. With the first win under their belts, all attention now turns to Topsham for another local derby. The new boys have made a flying start to life at level 5, so another tough battle awaits.
Our 2nd XV open their season at home this Saturday (20th) against North Tawton.
