Sidmouth Chiefs finished their successful league season in fine style with a comfortable 43-14 victory against North Petherton, writes Terry O’Brien.

The visitors had the best of the opening exchanges before the Chiefs opened the scoring on their first visit into the opposing half. A very slick handling move gave Cian Warren a run on the left wing. Somehow, he forced his way through three defenders to touch down in the corner. Jake Allen converted from wide out.

Cian Warren was on the scoresheet again a few minutes later following a five-metre scrum. A long pass from Phil Dolman found him in space and he carried two defenders over the line for the touchdown. The try was unconverted.

North Petherton crossed the Sidmouth line midway through the half but were unable to ground the ball.

From a lineout catch-and-drive play Jed Reid got the touchdown for try number three.

Following a turnover on halfway, more good handling sent Cian Warren in for his hat-trick despite the attention of three defenders. Jake Allen’s conversion made the halftime score 24-0.

Four minutes into the second half Harry Emmett went over from close range after good handling through three phases inside the 22.

When the Chiefs drove a lineout maul 20 metres into the North Petherton 22 before it was stopped, Josh Bess drove over from the back of the resulting ruck. Jake Allen converted.

The visitors had a purple patch in the middle of the half to score two fine tries. The first came from a slick move on the blindside of a scrum inside the Sidmouth 22 to create an overlap for the right winger. The second was scored by a centre as he picked a good line through the Sidmouth midfield. Both were converted by the fly half.

The final score came after a series of rucks inside the North Petherton 22 had stretched the defence for Jake Smith to find a gap in the centre. Jake Allens conversion completed the scoring.

The win took the Chiefs league points to 101 out of a possible 110 for a convincing league championship. They now concentrate on the Devon Intermediate Cup and on Saturday they travel to Newton Abbot for the semi-final.

The following week, the Colts travel to the same venue for the Devon Colts Cup Final following their 20-10 win against Topsham.