Sat 27 Nov 2021
SIDMOUTH 17 v CHEW VALLEY 31
Sidmouth Chiefs built up an impressive 17-point lead within 15 minutes of the kick off with some excellent rugby as they caught league leaders Chew Valley still shaking off the coach journey. However, the visitors bigger, hard runners along with their superiority in the scrum eventually won the day.
Sidmouth kicked off with the strong breeze in their favour and took the lead in the third minute after forcing their opponents to concede a scrum and then a penalty close to their line. George Jarman took a quick tap penalty and darted over before the defence was organised. Cole Monaghan added the conversion.
A few minutes later a long-range Monaghan penalty increased the lead.
A turnover at a ruck on halfway gave the Chiefs possession. Two quick rucks created space for the backs on the left. Phil Dollman’s well-timed pass found Cian Warren in space on the wing. The young wingman left the full back in his wake as he sprinted over to touch down near the posts to leave a straightforward conversion.
Chew Valley gradually got their game together at last and the Chiefs spent much of the second quarter defending. They did so, showing good organisation and much determination to keep their line and lead intact at the break.
Having lost Tom Hodge with a head injury, the Chiefs also started the second half without Phil Doleman due to injury.
Soon after the restart, Chew Valley seemed to have scored as their right winger finished off a fine handling move but he had put a foot into touch on the way to the line. However, they soon opened their account when the inside centre ran a good angle from a five-metre scrum to cut through the defence for a try under the posts, which was converted.
The Chiefs responded well with a spell on the attack but could not add to their score. Chew Valley produced a good handling move out of their own half. Dan Retter, at full back, produced a try saving tackle before an attacking player was held up over the line. However, the referee awarded a penalty in front of the posts, which proved to be the crucial turning point of the game.
The pack withstood four attempts at pushover tries before conceding a penalty try and losing captain Haydon Down to the sin bin.
With ten minutes to go the Chiefs were a man short and drained of energy as the Chew Valley right winger finished off a sweeping handling move started deep inside his own half to give his side a two-point lead.
The lead was extended to seven points with a bonus point fourth try following a 70-metre run by the inside centre. A last-ditch Dan Retter tackle brought him down just short of the line, but the ball was recycled and move to an overlap for the left winger to finish off.
The Chiefs were denied a bonus point, which their contribution to the game deserved, with a try from a move which included a strong hint of a knock on. The conversion completed the scoring.
On Saturday the Chiefs travel for a local derby at Crediton.
At the Blackmore Field the Quins entertain Crediton 2nds kicking off at 2.30pm.
The Colts play Withycombe Colts at Sidford with a 2.30pm kick off.
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