Sat 10 Sep 2022
Sidmouth overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to score four second half tries and snatch victory in injury time in an exciting and entertaining game at North Petherton.
With their scrum and lineout under pressure, the Chiefs backs had limited front foot ball with which to attack, they relied on opportunism and counterattack to create scoring opportunities, which they skill-fully turned into points in the second half.
North Petherton kicked off and scored almost immediately with a penalty kicked by their full back.
Sidmouth replied a few minutes later thanks to a Cole Monaghan penalty kicked after the home side had stopped a driving maul illegally.
With the Chiefs struggling for possession and conceding penalties, North Petherton regained the lead when a forward peeled off a maul near the line to force his way over. The full back added the conversion and increased the lead soon after with a penalty.
Sam Heathcote did well to get back to cover a long kick deep into the Sidmouth 22 but was penalised for failing to release the ball. The quick-thinking home scrum half took a tap and darted over for a converted try.
Cole Monaghan kicked a second penalty before North Petherton increased their lead with a third try scored by the full back on the blindside of a ruck after a period of pressure inside the Sidmouth22.
A third Monaghan penalty in injury time kept the Chiefs in touch at halftime.
North Petherton dropped the ball from the restart kick and the Chiefs regained possession. Quick ball from a ruck was transferred to the backs for Tom Hodge to sprint over for an unconverted try.
Ten minutes into the half Rob Griffin fielded a clearance kick on halfway and broke through two tackles before offloading to Dan Armstrong. He carried the ball into the 22 where he found Haydon Down in support to finish the move off. One for the forwards to celebrate.
The Chiefs had their tails up and, when the forwards drove a lineout maul to the line, the ball was moved into then open, where Rory O’Brien joined the line from full back to sprint over near the posts. The conversion put the Chiefs in the lead.
When Sam Heathcote chased a Cameron Grainger kick, his effort was rewarded by a favourable bounce. He gathered it and sprinted in under the posts for the bonus point fourth try.
The conversion gave Sidmouth a two-score lead but North Petherton were not beaten. A penalty narrowed the gap and, when a forward peeled off a lineout maul to crash over the scores were level with a couple of minutes to play.
With the game deep into injury time, Sidmouth were awarded a penalty 40 metres out. Cole Monaghan’s kick bisecting the posts was followed by the final whistle.
On Saturday the Chiefs entertain Sherborne kicking off at 3.00pm.
The Colts play Honiton at Sidford with a 3.00pm kick off.
With their scrum and lineout under pressure, the Chiefs backs had limited front foot ball with which to attack, they relied on opportunism and counterattack to create scoring opportunities, which they skill-fully turned into points in the second half.
North Petherton kicked off and scored almost immediately with a penalty kicked by their full back.
Sidmouth replied a few minutes later thanks to a Cole Monaghan penalty kicked after the home side had stopped a driving maul illegally.
With the Chiefs struggling for possession and conceding penalties, North Petherton regained the lead when a forward peeled off a maul near the line to force his way over. The full back added the conversion and increased the lead soon after with a penalty.
Sam Heathcote did well to get back to cover a long kick deep into the Sidmouth 22 but was penalised for failing to release the ball. The quick-thinking home scrum half took a tap and darted over for a converted try.
Cole Monaghan kicked a second penalty before North Petherton increased their lead with a third try scored by the full back on the blindside of a ruck after a period of pressure inside the Sidmouth22.
A third Monaghan penalty in injury time kept the Chiefs in touch at halftime.
North Petherton dropped the ball from the restart kick and the Chiefs regained possession. Quick ball from a ruck was transferred to the backs for Tom Hodge to sprint over for an unconverted try.
Ten minutes into the half Rob Griffin fielded a clearance kick on halfway and broke through two tackles before offloading to Dan Armstrong. He carried the ball into the 22 where he found Haydon Down in support to finish the move off. One for the forwards to celebrate.
The Chiefs had their tails up and, when the forwards drove a lineout maul to the line, the ball was moved into then open, where Rory O’Brien joined the line from full back to sprint over near the posts. The conversion put the Chiefs in the lead.
When Sam Heathcote chased a Cameron Grainger kick, his effort was rewarded by a favourable bounce. He gathered it and sprinted in under the posts for the bonus point fourth try.
The conversion gave Sidmouth a two-score lead but North Petherton were not beaten. A penalty narrowed the gap and, when a forward peeled off a lineout maul to crash over the scores were level with a couple of minutes to play.
With the game deep into injury time, Sidmouth were awarded a penalty 40 metres out. Cole Monaghan’s kick bisecting the posts was followed by the final whistle.
On Saturday the Chiefs entertain Sherborne kicking off at 3.00pm.
The Colts play Honiton at Sidford with a 3.00pm kick off.
