Sat 4 Oct 2025
Sidmouth’s 2nds continued their fine start to the season with a thumping 10-76 victory away at Cullompton on Saturday to place them at the top of the table after 2 games.
Sidmouth were on the front foot from the start as the pack provided plenty of quality ball from scrum and lineout to allow the impressive back line the chance to show what they were capable of. The front row of Chirs Otway, Richie Hull and Kieran Docherty were dominant in the scrum ably driven forward by Tom Butler and Charlie Farrington-Smith in the engine room of the second row. Matt Ewings was a constant threat from number 8 whilst Barney Cooper and Sam Bryant provided youthful exuberance on the flanks and were a constant pain in the Cullompton side.
Ben Fisher and Lewis Stuart controlled matters from halfback which allowed time and space for man of the match Jack Hembrow to pull the strings in midfield with Tom Bird and make the most of the threats that Sidmouth had in the wide channels.
Sam Heathcote opened the scoring after some slick handling across the backline, for what was to be 1 of 4 tries he scored on the day, and Rory O’Brien slotted the conversion into a difficult breeze from the touchline. Such was the regularity of the scoring from Sidmouth it was difficult to keep track of as the ran in 12 tries in total with O’Brien kicking 8 conversions in testing conditions.
As well as Heathcote’s 4 tries, Cian Warren picked up 2 and there were also scores for Hembrow, O’Brien, Cooper, Otway, Sam Bassnett and Charles Edwards.
The strength of this team is not just in the starting XV but also in the bench where in the second half Edwards, Alex Clemo-Crosby and skipper Alfie Collins (returning from an ankle injury) were able to provide fresh legs and additional firepower.
Whilst Cullompton were struggling for numbers, with James Docherty and Ned Coles playing for the opposition to ensure they had a full 15, they were relentless in their efforts and were duly rewarded with a try in each half.
Tougher tests lie in wait for Sidmouth, starting next Saturday away at Exeter Athletic who had a good win against Newton Abbot, but confidence is high and the side appear to be in good shape.
Sidmouth were on the front foot from the start as the pack provided plenty of quality ball from scrum and lineout to allow the impressive back line the chance to show what they were capable of. The front row of Chirs Otway, Richie Hull and Kieran Docherty were dominant in the scrum ably driven forward by Tom Butler and Charlie Farrington-Smith in the engine room of the second row. Matt Ewings was a constant threat from number 8 whilst Barney Cooper and Sam Bryant provided youthful exuberance on the flanks and were a constant pain in the Cullompton side.
Ben Fisher and Lewis Stuart controlled matters from halfback which allowed time and space for man of the match Jack Hembrow to pull the strings in midfield with Tom Bird and make the most of the threats that Sidmouth had in the wide channels.
Sam Heathcote opened the scoring after some slick handling across the backline, for what was to be 1 of 4 tries he scored on the day, and Rory O’Brien slotted the conversion into a difficult breeze from the touchline. Such was the regularity of the scoring from Sidmouth it was difficult to keep track of as the ran in 12 tries in total with O’Brien kicking 8 conversions in testing conditions.
As well as Heathcote’s 4 tries, Cian Warren picked up 2 and there were also scores for Hembrow, O’Brien, Cooper, Otway, Sam Bassnett and Charles Edwards.
The strength of this team is not just in the starting XV but also in the bench where in the second half Edwards, Alex Clemo-Crosby and skipper Alfie Collins (returning from an ankle injury) were able to provide fresh legs and additional firepower.
Whilst Cullompton were struggling for numbers, with James Docherty and Ned Coles playing for the opposition to ensure they had a full 15, they were relentless in their efforts and were duly rewarded with a try in each half.
Tougher tests lie in wait for Sidmouth, starting next Saturday away at Exeter Athletic who had a good win against Newton Abbot, but confidence is high and the side appear to be in good shape.
