Sat 11 Dec 2021
MENS 1ST SIDMOUTH XV 9 v DEVONPORT SERVICES 14
Promotion chasing Devonport Services were visibly relieved at the final whistle to have held on for a win against a determined Sidmouth side which battled to the end against the odds.
Sidmouth kicked off on a sticky surface and soon forced Services to concede a penalty in front of their post for Dan Retter to kick his side into an early lead.
The Chiefs were soon back on the attack. A second penalty attempt from a difficult angle rebounded from an upright into the path of a chasing player with an overlap to his left, but the handling was not accurate enough to exploit the situation.
A good handling move from halfway put the Chiefs back on the attack but hooker Jed Reid injured a leg in a tackle and had to leave the field to be replaced by Asa Unsworth.
The Chiefs attempted a lineout catch-and-drive but were stopped just short of the line. Services cleared up-field from the resulting scrum.
Services made their first visit into the Sidmouth 22 on the 20-minute mark. The Chiefs defended well as Services declined kickable penalties in the hunt for a try, which they were denied.
On the half hour mark, Josh Bess was yellow carded for an illegal tackle and Services kicked their way back into the 22.
Dan Rugg, who had already had treatment twice for a leg injury, was forced to leave the field. With no remaining front row replacement, the referee ordered uncontested scrums. As a result, Rugg could not be replaced, and the Chiefs played the remainder of the half with thirteen men. They did well to retain their lead into the break.
Restored to 14 players, with their captain returning soon after the restart, they increased their lead thanks to a second Dan Retter penalty.
Services responded almost immediately with a fine display of handling and support play to create a try scored by the outside centre. The conversion gave them a slender lead.
Despite the setback, the Chiefs kept play predominantly inside the Services half and were attacking strongly at the decisive moment of the game. They lost possession inside the Services 22 and the ball was kicked long into the unguarded Sidmouth 22. The left winger outpaced the cover to hack the ball over the line and win the chase for the touchdown. The conversion opened up an eight-point gap.
Sidmouth dominated the closing stages and a third Dan Retter penalty put them within five points, but they were unable to get the vital score and had to settle for a losing bonus point.
On Saturday the Chiefs make the long journey to play Lydney.
On the Blackmore Field the Quins entertain Paignton 2nds kicking off at 2.30pm.
The Colts travel to Teignmouth.
On Boxing Day the traditional match against the President’s XV kicks off at 2.30pm.
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