An outstanding try scored in the final minute of normal time gave Truro a 22-18 victory at Sidmouth, which they deserved by virtue of scoring three tries to none, as the Chiefs failed to cross the whitewash for only the second time this season.

The Chiefs had plenty of possession and territory but lacked the accuracy and composure to convert it into tries. The pressure won them penalties and immaculate kicking from the tee by Cole Monaghan kept them in sight of victory until the final denouement.

A fast start produced the first penalty to give the Chiefs an early lead but the visitors hit back two minutes later when the right winger chased a high kick to catch the ball and pass to his full back who ran in under the posts. The fly half added the conversion.

Two more Monaghan penalties regained the lead temporarily until his opposite number put his side back in front for one minute until Sidmouth penalty number four.

A converted try from a lineout catch-and-drive play put the Cornishmen back in front.

After Cole Monaghan’s fifth penalty, Truro had two players yellow carded in quick succession as Sidmouth pressed hard inside the 22 in the closing minutes of the first half.

Two strong runs by Sam Heathcote either side of half time saw him tackled just short of the line but the Chiefs failed to capitalise on the two-man advantage.

When Truro had been restored to a full complement, the Chiefs continued to press. A break by Tom Hodge led to a Chiefs lineout deep inside the 22 but they failed to control the ball as they drove the resulting maul towards the line.

Eventually, a sixth penalty gave the Chiefs a deserved narrow lead before the Truro full back sprinted 50 metres to the Sidmouth 22 to initiate the move which produced the winning try scored by the right winger.

On Saturday, the Chiefs entertain second-placed Crediton, kicking off at 2.30pm, The Quins travel to play Crediton 2nds.