Sidmouth II's 24 Teignmouth II's 30

After late cry offs Teignmouth travelled with only 16 players to a game that would test there ability to play at a higher level as Sidmouth are in the league above.

Teignmouth started well build attacks and keeping the early pressure in Sidmouth's half. However it was from their first spell of defending that produced a try. A long clearance kick was chased well by Jake Collins and he was supported aggressively and skipper Andy Webber made it to the line. Callum Couch missed the kick by a foot but struck soon after from a penalty. It was not long until Sidmouth struck back with a long range converted try. This was a physical fast game and a further try this time by Jake Bury looked to have taken Teignmouth clear at 13-7. A major opportunity to score again just before half time was wasted a metre from the Sidmouth line.

A Couch penalty took Teignmouth 16-7 ahead but then a poor kick opened the field up for the fast running Sidmouth backs and the score closed to 16-12. The big Teignmouth pack had been giving them control but now the work rate started to affect the forwards and with only one sub they just had to dog it out. The backs were defending well but still the odd stary kick was allowing Sidmouth to go back on the attack. A harsh yellow card for Chris Day seemed to build more pressure on the forwards. A well worked try by Willis with lots of support and inter passing took Teignmouth to 23-7 after a conversion from Couch but then a poor kick opened the field up for the fast running Sidmouth backs and the score closed to 23-12.

The final quarter saw the game tip one way then another, Sidmouth scored yet another long range try to close to 23-17 but then Teignmouth staged their own break out and a second try from Jake Bury with a second conversion from Couch looked to have given Teignmouth a cushion but as Teignmouth's forwards started to flag back cam Sidmouth again to close to 30-24. In a hectic and heated last 10 minutes Teignmouth had to survive repeated attacks on their line and some great tackling and covering enabled them to do so giving them a notable victory.

The backs defended excellently throughout and used their possession well. as tiredness set in there were too many kicks which were not thought through and landed in the welcoming arms of the speedy Sidmouth backs but this was too good a victory to dwell on errors they can be tackled at training. The forwards ran themselves into the ground and tackled all afternoon. Adam Willis and Jake Bury dominated the lineouts and Gareth Aldworth took two Sidmouth throws as well. An outstanding team performance full of grit and commitment. Now played two won two.

MOM Dan Aldworth