Sevens raise �400 for local charity - Top Cats win
The Blackmore Field was bathed in bank holiday sunshine for this year’s Charity Sevens, sponsored by Fords of Sidmouth. Despite the counter-attraction of teams taking part in U14 and U16 finals at Sandy Park, there were still a good number of spectators in attendance, writes Terry O’Brien.
The six teams taking part were divided into two groups of three for the qualifying stage. Both groups provided shock results. In group one, the Rising Sun held a very experienced S Club 7 team to a 24-24 draw. However, the youthful Nothing But Plate came out on top with two comfortable wins.
Group two produced an even more surprising result when last year’s winners, TC Top Cats, were beaten 29-21 by the Colts. The youngsters were bolstered by the inclusion of their three senior player coaches Matt Farrington, Will Dunford and Stuart Bickerstaff. However, the Top Cats boasted a number of 1st XV players, including Tom Whelan and Sam Richardson, who had represented Devon the previous day.
The teams were destined to meet again in the Cup final after cruising through their respective semi-finals.
The Shield final revealed that the Rising Sun had peaked too early as they were comfortably beaten 53-14 by MKAS Afghan Years. In the Plate final the spirit of youth overcame the complacency of old age, when the aptly named Nothing But Plate beat S Club 7 by 42-19.
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The decisive spell in a closely-contested cup final, in which the Colts led at half time, came when TC Top Cats regained possession from three consecutive kick offs and scored from each. The final score was 42-28.
The trophies were presented by sponsor Mike Ford, and the event raised more than �400 for the Sid Valley Memory Club.
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Two Sidmouth players were in the Devon rugby squad which played against Somerset last Saturday in the Bill Beaumont County Championship.
Sidmouth captain Sam Richardson was in the starting line up at number eight. Fly half Tom Whelan came on as a second half replacement to kick two conversions. Somerset won the game 33-20.
