UNDER 13s DEVON CUP FINAL

Sidmouth 5 Topsham  5

This was an unbelievably close final and an absolute nail-biter! Topsham came out of the blocks quickest and from an early scrum, their number 8 scored in the first minute.  He almost scored again a few moments later, but was penalised for a ‘double movement’. The penalty gave Sidmouth a chance to clear their lines and they did this with some style.  Counsell almost broke clear, but the touch judge felt he had done so illegally; in my view this was more accidental than malicious but he was yellow carded.  Sidmouth’s character was now severely tested, but the boys were fantastic.  For what appeared to be 15 minutes Sidmouth had to defend their line with 14 men. They were all brilliant, but two tackles stood out as crucial in this period.  One from Hankin on their  wing and one from Morgan which stopped a certain try. He was mobbed by his team mates, which says all you need to know about this team.  With Counsell finally back on, Sidmouth comfortably saw out the half. The second half was a true 15 a side contest and Sidmouth were better able to compete.  After one period of sustained pressure from Topsham, Counsell belted the ball out of his 22 and Dunn, who caught it on the bounce, couldn’t quite escape their centre’s clutches, but now it was Sidmouth’s turn to camp in Topsham’s 22. Finally after terrific work from the forwards, Kennaugh found himself in space in the last five minutes and was able to power over in the corner. Allen’s conversion was struck beautifully, but fell just short. Sidmouth’s tails were up, but a series of penalties against them found them back in their 22 and defending as if their lives depended on it. Try saving tackles from White and then Counsell allowed Wright and Moore to drag the maul into touch and the final whistle blew. It was a draw.  The Cup Final will have to be replayed.

Sidmouth won the toss to decide where the match will be contested and the Devon Cup Final, excitingly  will be replayed in Sidmouth at Blackmore on Wednesday 25^th April at 6pm. All support from the town will be gratefully received. Great rugby guaranteed!

(Squad; Chugg-White, Unsworth, Hughes, Syrrad,Pearce, Wright, Robinson, Moore(Capt),Davies, Down, Hankin,Allen, Counsell, Kennaugh, Morgan. Substitutes; Bolton, Hill, Dunn, Innes-Kruger,Johnson-Graves,Dix and Lush)

Sidmouth U13's v Brixham U13's Devon Cup Semi Finals

Devon Cup Semi Finals

Sidmouth 44 Brixham 0

Sidmouth Under 13s have progressed to the Devon Cup Final and in some style too. Brixham started very brightly, but a fantastic team effort forced Brixham onto the back foot and Wright powered over.  Brixham again were pinned back in their half, Robinson managed to steal the ball and the backs counter attacked. Hankin passed it to Counsell who dived over.  Brixham tried hard, but everything they did Sidmouth were equal to. The next try came when Kennaugh tackled his opposite number on the wing, stole the ball then ran in unopposed. The next came when Syrrad ripped the ball, powered on and offloaded to Counsell for his second.

It had been a scintillating first half. The second half started like the first. Unsworth puts in a big tackle. Sidmouth’s pack, who were outstanding all morning, stole the ball and Counsell sprinted under the posts. Allen converted. Moore, Pearce, Hughes, Lush and White then drove the ball back to Brixham’s 22 and Wright was able to get over in the corner. The next was a’ backs special’. Davies to Down to Counsell who kicked ahead for Allen who had a kind bounce and sprinted under the posts. He converted his try. Brixham never gave up, but Sidmouth were in no mood to concede a try, epitomised by Bolton’s try saving tackle. Hill, Dix and White were now the front row and they won quick ball. Morgan made a break and offloaded to Counsell for his fourth.  Towards the end Nick J-G was dump tackled, which was unnecessary to put it politely and substitutes Burns and Smith both nearly scored. A fabulous team effort. Well done to all and thank you to the coaches for excellent guidance and coaching.

(Squad White, Unsworth, Hughes, Syrrad, Pearce, Wright, Robinson, Moore(capt), Davies, Down Hankin, Counsell, Allen, Kennaugh, Morgan…Substitutes Bolton, Johnson- Graves, Hill, Lush, Dix, Burns and Smith)

Sidmouth U13's v Okehampton U13's

Sidmouth 52 Okehampton 5

Another super team effort by Sidmouth Under 13s in the run up to the Devon cup final. From the kick off you could see that the players were in the right frame of mind. After the backs had made a break into Okehampton’s 22, Wright picked up the recycled ball and powered over. The next try was a cracker. You don’t expect to see nifty footwork and speed from a lock, but Pearce showed both to score under the posts. Not to be outdone Syrrad the other lock scored straight from the restart.  The next try was very much a team effort finished superbly by Smith, who was having a very good day on the wing. Another team effort saw Counsell sprint under the posts . The second half saw new personnel, but the same fighting spirit. Quick ball from the ruck saw Nick J-G finish expertly in the corner. The next try was a text book ‘training park’ line out which Moore finished brilliantly. Sidmouth’s last try was a true team effort, with practically the entire 15 getting their hands on the ball, before Allen scored under the posts. He converted this one as he did 5 of the others. Okehampton managed to score a consolation try at the end.  

Sidmouth U13's v Exmouth U13's

Written by Jane Pepper

The news that Wellington RFC Under 13’s cancelled our away match for Sunday was disappointing, but soon forgotten. They say every cloud has a silver lining, and we were fortunate enough, in the run up to our cup game, to have the valuable opportunity to switch training for match play against the much improved Exmouth U13’s who kindly stepped in.  A cracking match ensued, away at Exmouth in weather more suited to sunbathing than rugby!

In the first thirty seconds, Outside Centre Will Counsell produced a magic run and subsequent try, converted by Fly Half Jake Allen, and then another under the posts!  Our inconsistent rucking created a pendulum swing between attack and defence, Exmouth came back followed by another from Counsell.

Scrum half Will Down’s creative play produced some superb teamwork and the opportunity for Captain and No 8 Max Moore to pop over the line and score. Exmouth came back with another unconverted try, and despite being two forwards down, we won the ball often enough for the backs  to produce a half time score of  19 – 10 to Sidmouth.

Allen kicked off the second half with a try followed by a flurry of four further tries from Counsell, one offloaded by Wing Tom Kennaugh, one converted by Counsell and two converted by Allen. Despite two more unconverted tries from Exmouth, the final score was 50 -20 to Sidmouth. 

A challenging match in which we hopefully learned a lot and great experience for our boys in preparation for our forthcoming Cup Semi Final away against Brixham U13’s next Sunday.