Sat 17 Sep 2022
The Sidmouth backs produced their best performance of the season so far to spearhead a second bonus point win against a lively Sherborne, in the first ever fixture between the clubs, with the Dorset side having been switched to the west in the reorganisation of the league structure.
The Chiefs looked to have taken the lead in the fourth minute when a Rory O’Brien break sent Thomas Mead over in the corner, but the referee had spotted a forward pass.
Sherborne had the better of play for the next 20 minutes thanks to a dominant scrum, which had the Sidmouth pack on the back foot and won two strikes against the head. However, the closest they came to scoring was a narrowly missed penalty.
When the Chiefs produced a move taking play from their own half into the opposing 22, they kept play near the Sherborne line until good approach work by the forwards created space for the back to move the ball smoothly along the line for Thomas Mead to sprint over in the corner for an unconverted try.
The Chiefs enjoyed territorial advantage for the remainder of the half and doubled their lead with a copycat try for Mead in first half injury time.
Whatever was said at half time sorted out the scrummaging problem as the Chiefs made a strong start to the second half. They added a third try after five minutes when Ollie Derryman peeled off a driving maul to drive over in the right corner.
From the restart kick, Sherborne kept play inside the Sidmouth half. Their forwards drove over the Sidmouth line but could not ground the ball.
From the goal line drop out, the visitors launched a fine handling move to take play back into the Sidmouth 22, where they created an overlap for the right winger to sprint over for an unconverted try.
Sidmouth kept a tight grip on proceedings in the final quarter and, when the Sherborne number eight was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, they took advantage of the extra man to increase their lead.
The ball was kicked for a lineout in the corner. The throw didn’t find the jumper, but Harry Emmett latched on to the loose ball and drove over the line.
Both sides maintained a positive intent for the remainder of the game but there was no further score.
On Saturday the Chiefs travel to Teignmouth.
The Quins are at Exeter Athletic and the Colts travel to Taunton for a National Cup tie.
On Sunday the Valkyries entertain Helston on the Blackmore Field with a 3.00pm kick off.
The Chiefs looked to have taken the lead in the fourth minute when a Rory O’Brien break sent Thomas Mead over in the corner, but the referee had spotted a forward pass.
Sherborne had the better of play for the next 20 minutes thanks to a dominant scrum, which had the Sidmouth pack on the back foot and won two strikes against the head. However, the closest they came to scoring was a narrowly missed penalty.
When the Chiefs produced a move taking play from their own half into the opposing 22, they kept play near the Sherborne line until good approach work by the forwards created space for the back to move the ball smoothly along the line for Thomas Mead to sprint over in the corner for an unconverted try.
The Chiefs enjoyed territorial advantage for the remainder of the half and doubled their lead with a copycat try for Mead in first half injury time.
Whatever was said at half time sorted out the scrummaging problem as the Chiefs made a strong start to the second half. They added a third try after five minutes when Ollie Derryman peeled off a driving maul to drive over in the right corner.
From the restart kick, Sherborne kept play inside the Sidmouth half. Their forwards drove over the Sidmouth line but could not ground the ball.
From the goal line drop out, the visitors launched a fine handling move to take play back into the Sidmouth 22, where they created an overlap for the right winger to sprint over for an unconverted try.
Sidmouth kept a tight grip on proceedings in the final quarter and, when the Sherborne number eight was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, they took advantage of the extra man to increase their lead.
The ball was kicked for a lineout in the corner. The throw didn’t find the jumper, but Harry Emmett latched on to the loose ball and drove over the line.
Both sides maintained a positive intent for the remainder of the game but there was no further score.
On Saturday the Chiefs travel to Teignmouth.
The Quins are at Exeter Athletic and the Colts travel to Taunton for a National Cup tie.
On Sunday the Valkyries entertain Helston on the Blackmore Field with a 3.00pm kick off.
