South West One (W)

North Petherton 32, Sidmouth 29

With 17 minutes of playing time remaining Sidmouth finally sparked into life and scored four tries in a dazzling final� to an otherwise lack-lustre performance, writes Clive Dwerryhouse.

It was too late to win the game but it secured two bonus points to keep them in the middle of the league.

For the first hour Sidmouth gifted yardage and scoring opportunities to the opposition with a succession of poor kicks, handling errors and missed lines-out.

As a result they were 20- 3 down at half-time and with 23 minutes of the second half gone they were 32-3 adrift having conceded four tries.

Then, with a dramatic shift through the gears, they began to prise open the North Petherton defence.

A telling incursion into the line by full-back James Powell created enough room for winger Sam Meadham to score the first try.

Fly-half Jason Luff began to cause problems with a series of darting runs and scored the second try himself.

Strong running by centre Chris Higgs carried him through two tackles for try number three and, with the match moving deep into extra time, Sidmouth produced the best move of the game with most of the side handling.

The ball was spread twice across the width of the pitch until North Petherton finally ran out of defenders allowing flanker Ollie Pyne to run in for the touch-down.

Matt Goss added three conversions to go with his first half penalty.

Jared Goodson, playing his first game for the Chiefs, received the Dukes Man of the Match Award for his all-action defence and support play.

This week, following the first patrons’ lunch of the season, the Chiefs will be entertaining Bridgwater who are already gaining a reputation in the league for having a formidable pack of forwards.