Sidmouth Chiefs completed the double over Chard thanks to a strong first half performance but were pushed all the way as Chard staged a strong comeback in the final quarter.

Sidmouth took the lead after three minutes when Tom Hodge exploited a gap in the defence to run in from 30 metres for an unconverted try. Sam Dix increased the lead when he drove over from close range following a tap penalty move. Cole Monaghan added the conversion.

Chard opened their account when the forwards progressed the ball through several phases and the scrum half sprinted over from a ruck near the line. The conversion attempt was charged down by Jake Allen.

The home side drew level thanks to a fine individual try by the right winger who sprinted clear from halfway. The try was converted.

Sidmouth responded  and a well-struck penalty from Cole Monaghan restored the lead in an entertaining rollercoaster of a match. The Chiefs finished the half strongly to add two tries in the closing minutes to secure a bonus point.

Josh Bess latched on to a loose ball from a lineout inside the 22 to dot down near the corner. Then, in injury time George Locke finished off a fine move involving backs and forwards. Cole Monaghan’s conversion made the half-time score 27-12.

The third quarter was evenly contested with scoring chances at a premium. However, Cole Monaghan extended Sidmouth’s lead with a penalty.

Sidmouth had the better of the scrums in the first half but that changed completely in the final quarter as the Chard eight had the Chiefs under severe pressure.

The Chiefs defended well but could do nothing to prevent two scrum pushover tries in the closing minutes, which earned the home side two bonus points.

The final score was Chard 24 Sidmouth 30 and a great result for the Chiefs to take into Saturday’s home meeting with Truro, a match rearranged from last month. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Victory for the Chiefs was just the opening chapter to a four-part story, as the seconds won 138-15 at Buckfastleigh, the Colts beat Crediton 20-19 in a classic between two excellent young teams and the Over 35s were too strong for Westcountry Wasps, winning 51-8