What do you get when Devon RFU allow Exeter Chiefs to sign up 50+ players? Exeter Saracens, Honiton and Cullompton sides fold, and Exeter bring 30 players to an away match.When, writes John Hamill, will Devon RFU stop this travesty of Colts’ rugby in the county?

When Exeter turned up with two full teams to choose from, Sidmouth could have taken the afternoon off. However, as the Sidmouth boys had time on their hands they played. And did they play! A squad of 19 took on the visiting masses and ran, attacked, tackled and defended as if their lives depended on it, to the delight of the Sidmouth spectators .

A fine penalty kick from a 40metre angle by Ben Pratt opened the scoring and gave Sidmouth the lead at the end of the first quarter: Exeter managed to struggle over after many minutes of being camped on Sidmouth’s line giving them a 5 -3 lead at half time. In the second half Exeter managed a mauling try, again after having failed to find any other way through, whilst Sidmouth failed to convert three kickable penalties.

Sidmouth showed commitment and courage across the team. Led from the front, as usual, by Charlie Davies the defence was the outstanding memory of the day, with the Exeter three-quarters clearly not relishing the prospect of the ball coming their way. Sidmouth’s threequarters fully discharged their responsibilities, both in defence and attack. The Sidmouth forwards battled and fought all afternoon against a fitter, more powerful pack, finding it more difficult as tiredness took over.

Team: Ben Pratt, Rob Wilmington, Jevon Astley-Jones, Jake Sawer, James Bond, James Powell, Robbie Ross, Jonny Henthorne, Johnny Hamill, Antony Martin, Barney St Anton, Gareth Pearson, Tom Irish, Lewis Tollerfield, Ollie Shaw, Nick Dunn, Matt Ewings, Lewis Brown and Charlie Davies .