Sidmouth Under-14s pushed Exeter Chiefs all the way before being beaten 20-12.

What made the performance all the more impressive was that Sidmouth went into the contest without the services of six regulars – all away on a school field trip!

Three of the absentees were part of the all-important front row and up stepped Jack Jenkins, Max Dix and Oli Jones to perform admirably against well-drilled opposition.

The half back pairing of Cole Monaghan and Archie Rowe were another new combination and they worked hard to set the team’s three’s motion.

Exeter Chiefs scored two first half tries while, for Sidmouth, Josh Golding and Owen Tidball went close with click counter-attacks.

Trailing 10-0 at the break, Sidmouth used all their replacements in the second half.

Mattie Laurenti set the tone for a comeback with several sweet plays – catching at full tilt and driving forward hard!

Jo Elsworth got on the end of one excellent move and he also converted before Exeter punished a fumble to score a third try.

The quicksilver Golding romped home for a second Sidmouth try to close the deficit to just three points!

In the dying moments Exeter ended the brave Sidmouth effort with a try from a driving maul to complete the scoring.