Sidmouth travelled to Torbay looking to get their season back on track. They were greeted by a Torquay side who have struggled this season and Sidmouth sensed an opportunity to gain an away win in the Merit Table. Sidmouth started this game brightly as t

Sidmouth travelled to Torbay looking to get their season back on track. They were greeted by a Torquay side who have struggled this season and Sidmouth sensed an opportunity to gain an away win in the Merit Table.

Sidmouth started this game brightly as the forwards set a solid platform for their backs to attack. The backs looked dangerous from the outset and kept Torquay penned in their half.

The first try of the game went to the men in green. An outstanding break by the impressive Chris Higgs created room for the full back James Gingell to join the attack and a superb pass out of the tackle by Higgs to Gingell allowed the latter to run in for the try. Will Dunford converted in front of the posts.

Sidmouth kept the pressure on Torquay but could not extend their lead; two missed penalty attempts by Dunford were as close as they came.

Solid defence from the Sidmouth backs, with Higgs and his centre partner James Robinson to the fore, stopped Torquay from gaining any territory. The Sidmouth back row trio of Sam Sowden, Ollie Pyne and Sam Cummins were also outstanding in this area of the game.

Torquay got into the Sidmouth half on a handful of occasions during the half, their last attack seeing their kicker convert a penalty. This made the half time score Torquay 3, Sidmouth 7.

The second half followed a similar pattern, Sidmouth again controlling the match for long periods.

Ben Damen and his fellow backs showed excellent distribution skills to allow winger Ross Collins to score a try wide out. This went unconverted.

Another promising attack was stopped just short of the Torquay line. The chance to score seemed to disappear until a momentary lapse in concentration by the defence allowed Ollie Pyne to drive over from a couple of yards. The try again went unconverted.

Torquay regrouped well, and their first visit of the half into the Sidmouth 22 was rewarded with a converted try.

The visitors finished strongly and were unlucky not to score again in the final seconds, Scott Davies denied a clear try on his return to the team.

This was the best Sidmouth have played this season. Hopefully, they can continue this form. This week the 2nds entertain Exeter University on the Blackmoor in their first friendly game of the season.