Sat 11 Oct 2025, 15:00
Sidmouth lost the toss and were forced to play down the slope on the common. A strong start saw Sidmouth enjoy plenty of possession in the attacking third; unfortunately, they couldn’t turn that possession into points, and a breakaway try from nowhere gave the home side the opening score, 7–0.
Sidmouth’s forwards quickly replied, keeping it tight. Martin Keywood picked up a loose ball from one metre out and scored, with Lewis Tose adding the conversion to level the scores at 7–7. Sidmouth were now playing some smart rugby, managing the scoreboard well, and added three more points from the boot of Tose to take the lead 7–10.
With the last play of the half, a strong carry from the home number 12 took three defenders to stop him; as he got the ball away, the numerical advantage made it a simple run-in for the winger. The kick was added, and the home side went into the break 14–10 ahead.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Sidmouth enjoying long spells of possession in the home side’s half. However, a poorly executed offload handed the momentum back to the hosts, who scored another try to extend their lead to 21–10. Sidmouth responded well, working their way back upfield and scoring from a forwards’ pick and go, with Harry Emmett emerging as the try scorer. Tose added the extras to close the gap to 21–17.
The home side made the most of the slope, breaking through the middle and scoring out wide to make it 26–17. The Marlborough number 12 then rushed out and left a hand in the tackle, earning a yellow card. Sidmouth turned down the shot at goal, and it paid off when Jake Smith hit a great line and found space to score, bringing the score to 26–22.
Chasing the game, Sidmouth tried to play out from their own third but surrendered possession. The home side’s forward dominance began to tell, and after multiple pick-and-go phases, a simple pass out wide gave the winger an easy run-in. The touchline conversion was successful, extending the lead to 33–22.
However, Sidmouth found a late spark with five minutes to go. A long-range touch-finder penalty from Jake Allen gave the forwards good territory, and a well-executed catch-and-drive lineout deep in the final third set up another Harry Emmett try from close range. Rory O’Brien added the extras to make it 33–29 going into the final two minutes.
Similar to last week, Sidmouth had possession in the closing stages, but in an attempt to gain territory, they conceded a penalty for holding on, which brought the game to a close.
The silver lining was taking home two losing bonus points, a reward for their relentless attitude and refusal to give up. Next week, a similar challenge awaits with a trip back up the M5 to face Matson.
Sidmouth’s forwards quickly replied, keeping it tight. Martin Keywood picked up a loose ball from one metre out and scored, with Lewis Tose adding the conversion to level the scores at 7–7. Sidmouth were now playing some smart rugby, managing the scoreboard well, and added three more points from the boot of Tose to take the lead 7–10.
With the last play of the half, a strong carry from the home number 12 took three defenders to stop him; as he got the ball away, the numerical advantage made it a simple run-in for the winger. The kick was added, and the home side went into the break 14–10 ahead.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Sidmouth enjoying long spells of possession in the home side’s half. However, a poorly executed offload handed the momentum back to the hosts, who scored another try to extend their lead to 21–10. Sidmouth responded well, working their way back upfield and scoring from a forwards’ pick and go, with Harry Emmett emerging as the try scorer. Tose added the extras to close the gap to 21–17.
The home side made the most of the slope, breaking through the middle and scoring out wide to make it 26–17. The Marlborough number 12 then rushed out and left a hand in the tackle, earning a yellow card. Sidmouth turned down the shot at goal, and it paid off when Jake Smith hit a great line and found space to score, bringing the score to 26–22.
Chasing the game, Sidmouth tried to play out from their own third but surrendered possession. The home side’s forward dominance began to tell, and after multiple pick-and-go phases, a simple pass out wide gave the winger an easy run-in. The touchline conversion was successful, extending the lead to 33–22.
However, Sidmouth found a late spark with five minutes to go. A long-range touch-finder penalty from Jake Allen gave the forwards good territory, and a well-executed catch-and-drive lineout deep in the final third set up another Harry Emmett try from close range. Rory O’Brien added the extras to make it 33–29 going into the final two minutes.
Similar to last week, Sidmouth had possession in the closing stages, but in an attempt to gain territory, they conceded a penalty for holding on, which brought the game to a close.
The silver lining was taking home two losing bonus points, a reward for their relentless attitude and refusal to give up. Next week, a similar challenge awaits with a trip back up the M5 to face Matson.
