Match Reports
Sidmouth 2nd xv v OPMs 1st xv
OPMs 1st xv 10, Sidmouth 2nd xv 13
The Quins travelled to Plymouth to take on OPMs who are mid table in Devon 1. A wait for someone to open the changing rooms, was followed by a massive down pour and a strong wind blowing into the faces of the away team throughout the 1st half. Recieving the kick off Sidmouth showed they were not to worried about the elements and ran the ball back at every opportunity. The scrum was very solid and often pushed the home side back. OPMs opend the scoring with a penalty for offside at a ruck. The format for the half was Sidmouth work the ball down in to OPMs 22, then for the hosts to clear with a big wind aided kick into Sids 22. Another raid into the scoring zone ended with Stuart Bickerstaff forcing his way over for a well deserved try. OPMs managed a converted try before half time for a 10- 5 lead. Wade Cooper was replaced at half time after taking a stray knock from Bryn Thomas, who made a welcome return to 2nd team rugby.
The experienced Greg Howell went into the front row with Tony Martin moving to blindside. Sidmouth once again pressed the homeside who were welcome of the weather being much calmer. Adam Squance slotted a penalty reducing the lead to a couple of points. Dan colson, Ben Salter and Robbie Ross were all keen in running with the ball in hand. Chasing the winning score the Quins were guilty of a inability to put away several, 2-3 man overlaps. Nick Mills from 8 was always a thorn in attack and defence for the home team. Tony Martin who had a stormer of a game finally crashed over after the second attempt, from which the Ref was the right side to see the grounding, and a 3 point lead with 10 minutes to play. OPMs finally exerted pressure in the Quins 22, in the last 2 minutes Andrew Doidge was given a red card for punching, apologies after the game, does not make up for what his team-mates had to withstand to ensure a victory was achieved. Hopefully Andrew will learn from his mistake. Big thank you to Mr & Mrs Hamil for their help on the touchline very much appreciated.
This week the Quins take on Bideford 2nds at the Blackmore followed by England and Wales on the big screen.
Sidmouth 2nds v Crediton 2nds
Crediton 2nds 11 Sidmouth 3
The Quins travelled to mid Devon to take on the team just above them in the merit table. A game dominated by two great defences, It was the home side who scored the only try in the first half, quick ball out wide breached the green line. Together with 2 penalties gave them a 11-0 lead at half time. The second half, Sidmouth dominated, and crossed the whitewash when Liam O' Connor forced his way over, only for the referee to be unsighted of the grounding. Despite several chances Sidmouth could not create that opening which would have lead to a scoring spree. A Ben Pratt penalty was the Quins only reward for their efforts. Praise must go to the home defence who would not lay down. Lewis Tollerfield was Sidmouths pick, along with Ben Salter and Josh Reed who both done well playing out of position. This week sees the Quins travel to Plymouth to take on OPM'S.
Sidmouth 2nd xv 23 - Cullompton 2nd xv 18
The Quins started the New year in Great fashion, beating one of the best drilled sides in the merit table.
It didn't bode well for the men in green, Cully were always on the front foot, within 2 minutes knocked over a penalty, and only a pass away from a try. Ben Pratt slotted a penalty to level the scores. The restart, which wasn't dealt with by the home team, fell kindly into the hands of the visiting centre who ran untouched under the post for a easy 5 points the conversion added for a 7 point lead.
Sidmouth's forwards were now on the up and began to dominate the set pieces. resulting in another well struck penalty from Ben Pratt, who was just wide with a long range effort before half time. The second half started in the same manner for the home side, conceding a penalty within 2 minutes. Then the Quins scored their best try of the season so far, a solid scrum, quick pass to the fly half, who receives the ball back on a loop from the inside centre, then misses the out side centre to a fast running full back who trundled in under the posts, Pratt added the extras to level the scores. Will Gater who scored the last try, then went very close with a drop goal from his own 10 metre line.
Halfway through the half both sides were reduced to 14 after a yellow card each, Sidmouth's could have been avoided if a certain player could control himself. James Powell chipped over the defence, Robbie Ross collected and off loaded to the impressive Johnny Hamil to dot down out wide. to give the Quins the lead for the first time. James Powel rounded up a good day for himself by scoring next, before Cullompton scored with final whistle being blown not long after. The Quins were dominant, with the forwards exceptional, don't want to name any of them as all 11 of them were blinding.
Lets hope the Quins can keep the same sort of team for next weeks trip to Paignton.
Sidmouth 2nds v Exmouth 2nds
The Quins put up a brave performance, but Exmouth who were very well drilled ran out winners by a clear margin.
It started well for the home side who took the game to the visitors using the close pick and drive to great effect. Ben Norcombe opend the scoring with try up the blind side out pacing the covering defence, Ben Pratt potted the extras for a deseved lead. Exmouth pulled a score back using the extra man out wide after drawing in all of sidmouths cover. Sam Sowden playing his first game for a long while was always in the thick of the action. Exmouth crossed the tryline twice more just before halftime for a 7-17 lead. Sidmouth startedthe second period with good intentions and once again put the visitors under pressure without getting any rewards. Exmouth then had a 15 minute purple patch scoring 3 tries, 2 converted, showing that training together, reaps benifits. Ben Pratt finished off a good move scoring out wide and was just short with the conversion. Exmouth ran in 2 more tries with one converted for a final score 12- 48. Even though there was a big difference in points the Sidmouth team put in a great effort, with a better attendance at training, who knows how well this team could perform.
Sidmouth 12 Exmouth 48
Sidmouth 2nds 7 V Newton Abbot 48
The walking wounded of Sidmouth were brushed aside by a Newton side at the Blackmore. The Quins who batteld as best they could, were rewarded with a solitary try and conversion from Ben Pratt, who outpaced the visitors from the halfway line. Lewis Tollerfield went off in the second minute, Johnny Hamil, gamely carried on till half time, Dan Colson and Dom Hawke both had dodgy shoulders. James Powell, Ryan Davies, tackled relentlesly. Matt Jenkins on for Lewis also put himself about on a day the Quins will want to forget. This week they travel to Barnstable, providing the treatment table has worked! and enough fit players available.
