Sat 29 Jan 2022
SIDMOUTH 1st XV 34 v WELLINGTON 21
Sidmouth Chiefs continued their winning run and 100% record for the new year despite a spirited fight back by Wellington, who scored three second half tries.
With the forwards providing a good supply of ball, the backs produced their best performance of the season scoring five outstanding tries.
Sidmouth opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a penalty kicked by Phil Dollman. They almost extended the lead a few minutes later, when Cameron Grainger crossed the line following a scrum win against the head, but he was unable to ground the ball.
With play confined mainly to the visitors’ half, the first try was not long coming. Slick inter-passing down the right was finished off by Rory O’Brien, who stepped inside to wrong foot the covering defenders to touch down by the posts providing a straightforward conversion.
A good handling move to the left found debutant winger Tom Mead on the overlap. He sprinted into the 22 before offloading for Tom Hodge to finish the move off. The try was converted.
Rory O’Brien scored his second try after the forwards had mauled the ball deep into the 22 and a long pass from Phil Dolman had found him in space on the right.
Wellington finished the half on the attack, but the Chiefs defended well to prevent any score.
Sidmouth extended their lead soon after the restart when the ball was progress to the line through many phases and Tom Hodge ran on to a short pass at pace to crash over for a converted try.
Wellington broke their duck with a well-executed catch-and-drive play from a lineout near the line. The full back added the conversion from wide out.
The Chiefs replied almost immediately when Tom Hodge made a break into the 22. When he was tackled, the ball was quickly recycled. Quick handling to the right found Dan Retter on the overlap to finish the move off with an unconverted try.
As the Chiefs conceded a series of penalties, Wellington dominated the final quarter and scored two tries.
The first resulted from another lineout maul. Then a period of pressure inside the 22 stretched the home defence and a long pass by the fly half found the right winger in space to race over in the corner. Both tries were converted.
On Saturday the Chiefs make the long journey to take on promotion contenders Lydney.
The Quins travel to Teignmouth.
At the Blackmore Field the Colts entertain Crediton Colts kicking off at 2.30pm.
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