Sidmouth Under-14s went down 24-12 at home to Teignmouth, but there were plenty of positives for the home side to take from the game.

None more so that then fact that, when the teams had met just seven days earlier the South Devon side had landed a comprehensive clean sheet success!

Added to the pre-match woes for the Sidmouth side was the fact that, not only was the previous match performance playing on their minds, the team had also had to undergo a few changes due to availability and injury!

Nevertheless the home team looked a much more determined outfit, tackling for their lives in the early exchanges and keeping the Teignmouth team at bay.

Teignmouth eventually broke through and opened the scoring, and, from the subsequent kick-off, managed to get the ball wide and through a number of pairs of hands to score again. The two quick scores could easily have led to a drop in morale and another tough morning.

However, the Sidmouth team rallied and fought their way to half-time without conceding again whilst also putting together some excellent passages of play at the other end of the pitch.

After the break and with a slight breeze behind them, the home team managed to gain some territory and pressure, eventually getting the ball, via an american football-style throw from the middle of a maul from Joe Elsworth, along the three quarters to winger Josh Golding, and he stood up his opposite number before accelerating away and sprinting 35-yards to score a superb try and put the outcome of the contest back in the balance.

Teignmouth did manage to suck in some defenders and score again to give them some breathing space, but not before a quick tap penalty led to another score for the home side. The score ended 24-12 to the away team, but the Sidmouth boys can be pleased with a much improved team performance.