Superb second-half display secures Sidmouth Chiefs' victory

Sidmouth took the lead in the third minute thanks to a penalty kicked by Jake Smith. He kicked a second from near halfway ten minutes later to double the lead after the Chiefs had wasted two golden opportunities to score tries.

Eventually, the try did come when Harry Emmett broke through from halfway to set up Jake Smith for the touchdown, which he then converted.

The Chard pack had been pressuring the Chiefs in the scrum and it was this superiority they used to fight back.

When the fly half launched a long kick into space in the Sidmouth 22, Dan Retter did well to get to the ball first, but he was penalised a few metres from the goal-line for not releasing the ball. Chard opted for a scrum, and, at the second attempt, the number eight touched down for a pushover try converted by the fly half.

Chard remained on top for the remainder of the half and, when they won a scrum against the head in injury time, a good handling move sent the left winger over for an unconverted try.

Chard continued to press in the second half and eventually took the lead with a penalty.

Playing fortunes changed when Chard fell foul of the referee and had three players yellow carded at intervals through the half, allowing the Chiefs to get back in contention, despite continuing problems in the scrum, which saw their own prop yellow carded.

Archie Cruze put his side back in front when he drove over from close range. Jake Smith converted. When Tom Hodge broke into the 22, Shaun Malton scored from the base of a ruck on the line. The conversion opened up a 12-point lead.

In injury time, Hodge completed the scoring with the bonus point fourth try on the blindside of a lineout maul. The win moves the Chiefs to the top of the league.

On Saturday, the Chiefs entertain Newton Abbot at Blackmore, kicking off at 2.30pm. The Quins travel to Newton Abbot.