Sidmouth travelled to their local rivals Exmouth in search of their first league double in living memory after their dramatic last-minute win in September at the Blackmore.

Sadly, Sidmouth left with a six-try-to-two defeat after a dominant pack performance from the Cockles.

Sidmouth lost captain Haydon Down in the warm-up, causing them to reshuffle their front row minutes before kick-off.

Exmouth kicked the match off as they played into the low winter sun.

Winning the ball from the kick-off, Exmouth applied early pressure and were awarded a five-metre scrum. A penalty try was scored, with Sidmouth lock Dan Armstrong sent to the sin bin (7–0).

Exmouth scored their second try just two minutes later through their powerful inside centre after another scrum in Sidmouth’s 22 (12–0, conversion missed).

Sidmouth finally gained a foothold in the match during the middle period of the first half, only to miss a certain try by failing to recognise a four-man overlap.

White-line fever led to pick-and-go moves on Exmouth’s try line, resulting in a knock-on.

Sidmouth got on the scoreboard when Cole Monaghan successfully kicked a penalty after Exmouth were caught offside at a breakdown (12–3).

Exmouth scored their third try when their hooker crashed over after several phases in Sidmouth’s 22, following a strong scrum platform (19-3).

Sidmouth finished the half strongly, with replacement Cam Grainger scoring from his first touch by finishing off a five-metre lineout catch-and-drive maul in the clubhouse corner (19–8 HT).

In the early minutes of the second half, Exmouth’s former Premiership player Dan Mugford showed great vision with a 50–22.

From the resulting lineout, Exmouth scored the bonus-point try, with the hooker again finishing a catch-and-drive maul, but the conversion was missed (24–8).

Exmouth conceded several penalties in the next five minutes, which led to Sidmouth’s second try. After a lovely short lineout move, the ball was taken off the top to allow an easy dot-down from lock Dan Armstrong (24–15, converted by Cole Monaghan).

After that, Exmouth finished the game as a contest, with their fifth and sixth tries coming through lock Liam Bayley and outside centre Dan Mugford, who both scored from midfield following two more powerful platforms in Sidmouth’s 22.

The sixth try was converted (38–15).

With Sidmouth showing some frustration, the game finished with a melee, and the referee picked out Sidmouth prop Nathan Tomkins and Exmouth lock Liam Bayley, awarding both players yellow cards. Full-time score: 38–15.

First Team are at home against Topsham this Saturday, our Vets XV will be travelling to Okehampton for a friendly fixture also this weekend.