Sidmouth 1st XV travelled up the M5 to Chew Valley in their changed purple strip, as Chew play in green and white hoops, to avoid any clashing.

The match kicked off with Chew playing with the wind and autumn sun on their backs for the first half.

The first 15 minutes were played in the middle of the pitch by two evenly matched sides.

The first points came in the 18th minute after a penalty at a breakdown. Chew’s fullback kicked to the right corner. After a catch-and-drive move, they decided to move the ball through the hands and the home side’s left winger scored in the left corner. CONVERSION MISSED (5-0).

Seven minutes later, after a scrum penalty, Chew’s fullback kicked to the same corner and the hooker scored the home team’s second try from a successful catch-and-drive maul. CONVERTED (12-0).

On the half-hour mark, Chew’s fullback finished off a first-phase move exploiting the right-hand blindside from a scrum between the 10-metre line and Sidmouth’s 22. CONVERSION MISSED (17-0).

Six minutes later, Chew Valley scored their bonus-point try after their No. 8 scored a pushover try from a 5-metre scrum. CONVERTED (24-0).

Sidmouth finally had a period of possession and territory, with strong runs from centres Jake Smith and George Locke. Replacement back Cam Grainger scored a nicely worked try in the left corner with the last play of the first half. CONVERSION MISSED (24-5) HT.

Sidmouth started the second half strongly, and Chew Valley’s No. 6 was given a yellow card after playing Sidmouth scrum-half Richie Drewitt at a breakdown in Chew’s 22. After the resulting penalty, Jake Smith kicked to the left corner and Shaun Malton scored Sidmouth’s second try from a successful catch-and-drive move. CONVERSION MISSED (24-10, 47 mins).

Four minutes later, Shaun Malton scored Sidmouth’s third try after another successful catch-and-drive move in the left corner. CONVERSION MISSED (24-15, 51 mins).

Over the next 10 minutes Sidmouth lost two players to the sin bin: winger Fin Lashbrook, who unfortunately took the 15 in the air while competing for a high ball, and lock forward Dan Armstrong, who was given a yellow card for not rolling away at a breakdown in Sidmouth’s 22. Chew’s fullback kicked the resulting penalty to make it 27-15 after 60 minutes.

Sidmouth built pressure in Chew’s 22, which led to a yellow card for Chew’s hooker at a breakdown. Sidmouth scored the important bonus-point try after a lovely delayed pass from Jake Smith to George Locke, and the outside centre powered over. CONVERTED by Jake Smith (27-22, 67 mins).

Sadly, Sidmouth couldn’t capitalise on the momentum and field position, with Chew’s strong defence in phase play and a couple of handling errors from Sidmouth as they chased a memorable comeback win.

Chew Valley closed out the game with a penalty kick from their fullback in front of the posts after a breakdown penalty with three minutes left, depriving Sidmouth of a very important losing bonus point. Final score: 30-22.

Next week, Sidmouth 1st XV will host Lydney at the Blackmore. Our 2nd XV & COLTS XV will also be playing at home at Sidford pitches who will both face Exmouth RFC.

Our women’s team will be back to league duties on Sunday 14th who will be welcoming Teignmouth to The Blackmore.