Sidmouth
Rugby Football Club

SIDMOUTH RUGBY CLUB LIMITED.

Information to members following the 9 January Board meeting.

 There were 8 Directors present plus the President. 

The Board noted that Paul Whitehouse had retired from his position as Treasurer

and it was unanimously agreed that the Chairman should write to Paul to thank him for the tremendous job he had done as Treasurer over many years and to wish him well. A tribute would also be put into an upcoming match day programme.

Robin Johnson had agreed to be the Financial Director supported by Richard Houghton Brown as the Treasurer.

To fill the vacancy created by Paul’s retirement the Board agreed to co - opt   Malcolm Barratt as a Director – this appointment will last until the next AGM.

As usual there were a variety of matters discussed which included;

1. the mid week training policy for under 12’s.
2. the success of the 40^th anniversary of the junior section.
3. noting that it was hoped that the new web site will be launched by the end of January. Pete Bond is the new web master. It is vital that the site is populated and kept up to date.
4. noting the Community Amateur Sports Club application for the new company was being held by HMRC, along with others, pending some technical issues being clarified.
5. agreeing that a formal opening of the new Pavilion at Sidford would be held in April/May with representatives from the various funders and local sports clubs plus local dignitaries.
6. agreeing that a Management Committee for the Pavilion be established.
7. noting that the head grounds man from Twickenham is coming in early February to provide advice on our pitches.
8. the approval of a Welfare and Safeguarding policy.
9. it was agreed to ask the bowls club for permission to put a sign on their premises reminding everyone that parking on the bowls club site is for bowls club members only.

 It was agreed that the next regular meeting would be held on Monday 12 March.

Short stars for Sidmouth 3rds

Sidmouth 3rds finally got their first win of the season - scoring an amazing nine tries against an unfortunate Paignton side who caught Sidmouth at their best, helped in no small way by Exeter Chief Peter Short, writes Will Holland.

Short, who broke his leg eight weeks after joining Chiefs, was looking for a game after missing the deadline for European registration. The former England Saxons, Leicester Tigers and Bath back row acted as a focal point for Sidmouth and pitched in with two tries, but it was the way he brought the rest of the team into the game that was the real bonus for Sidmouth.

Sidmouth could have had more tries if not for a couple of knock-ons in crucial positions. Sidmouth had a large squad of 21 players with everyone getting a least 15 minutes of game time. Right from the start Sidmouth took it straight to Paignton with Chris Legg for once with ball in hand setting up a ruck where Short was able to break away and race over the first score.

Before Paignton realised what they were up against they were trailing 21-0 with Sidmouth showing no mercy. Sidmouth relaxed and let Paignton in, conceding a try in the corner although they hit back straight away replying with a penalty slotted by the ever reliable Adam Squance. The points continued to flow throughout the game with Adam Howe proving to be the games stand out back and player with loads of hard running and hard tacking, although those outside him may wish he would spread the ball a little more! Howe ended up scoring a hat-trick of tries making him popular in the club after the game after having to buy the trademark jug of beer!

In the second half Sidmouth decided to give the forwards more to do with Neil Barratt prominent, linking with the backs and going over for a try. Bryn Thomas also got on the score sheet after a lovely rolling maul. Big thanks to all who played and came on as a sub because you all played very well and can feel very proud of the win. Tries scorer were :Howe 3, Short 2; Barratt, Thomas, Hargreaves and Reede. Squance converted five to add to his penalty. This week: away to Exmouth.

Paignton said “Peter Short signed some shirts for the younger members of the team who will remember the game for a long time and some of the older ones will be checking the Sidmouth teamsheet before they agree to travel there again!”

U15s look forward to second half of season

Over the course of December, fixtures were limited for the U15s. But there can be nothing other than praise for a group of players who are maturing and rapidly improving as we look to some return fixtures where we will only receive rewards.

Looking back on the fixtures which have been played, there have been some tough away trips to Kingsbridge and Totnes.

Home games have seen some credible results;, beating Exeter Chiefs 38-19 at home isn't something which happens to every team.

As the season passes its halfway point so far there have been a few outstanding performers: Callum Archibald, Sam Smith, Reid Mawdsley, and Edward Thomas.

But the player of the month for December was Tom Stokes, a captain who has led from the front and been selected for the Devon School of Rugby programme.

Sidmouth 3rd team 58-5 Paignton 3rds

Sidmouth 3rds finally got their first win of the season and what a win it was!  Sidmouth scored an amazing 9 tries against an unfortunate Paignton side who caught Sidmouth at their best.  Sidmouth could have had more tries if not for a couple of knock ons in crucial positions.  Sidmouth had a nice large squad of 21 players with everyone getting a least 15 mins of game time.  The home side were helped in no small way by the addition of Exeter Chief Peter Short who was looking for a game after missing the deadline for European registration.  He acted as a focal point for Sidmouth and pitched in with 2 tries, but it was the way he brought the rest of team into the game that was the real bonus for Sidmouth.  Right form the start Sidmouth took it straight to Paington with Chris Legg for once with ball in hand setting up a ruck where Short was able to break away and race over the first score. 

Before Paignton realised what they were up against they were trailing 21-0 with Sidmouth showing no mercy as they sensed a first victory was on the cards.  Sidmouth then relaxed and let Paington in, conceding a try in the corner although they hit back straight away replying with a penalty slotted by  the ever reliable Adam Squance.  The points continued to flow throughout the game with Adam Howe proving to be the games stand out back and player with loads of hard running and hard tacking, although those outside him may wish he would spread the ball a little more!  Howe would end up scoring a hatrick of tries making him popular in the club after the game after having to buy the trademark jug of beer!

In the second half Sidmouth decided to give the forwards more to do with Neil Barratt prominent in his role of linking with the backs and going over for a try himself.  Bryn Thomas also got on the score sheet after a lovely rolling maul.  Big thanks to all who played and came on as a sub because you all played very well and can feel very proud of the win.  Tries scorers for the day were Howe with 3 tries, Short with 2 tries and Barratt, Thomas, Hargreaves and Reed with one a piece.    Squance converted 5 kicks to add to his penalty.  Next week we make the short trip to Exmouth so lets keep it up and give them a good game!