Sidmouth 2nds were involved in a terrific pre-Christmas meeting with Crediton 2nds, a contest that the visitors eventually won 25-19, writes Terry O’Brien

Sidmouth 2nds were involved in a terrific pre-Christmas meeting with Crediton 2nds, a contest that the visitors eventually won 25-19, writes Terry O’Brien.

Played in excellent conditions at Sidford between two young, uninhibited sides, this was a thoroughly entertaining and close-fought match.

The first 20 minutes proved to be the decisive period. During this time, play was confined exclusively to the Crediton half but Sidmouth failed to trouble the scoreboard. The Crediton defence was quite outstanding in both organisation and execution. The Quins got within a few metres of the line more than once but could not find a way to cross the whitewash.

So, it was very much against the run of play that Crediton took the lead on their first incursion into the Sidmouth half. Under pressure, the Sidmouth defence proved less watertight than the visitors and Crediton progressed the ball through several phases to the Sidmouth line, where the number eight powered his way over for an unconverted try.

Now full of confidence, Crediton soon added a second try, when the right winger finished of a handling move started in their own half. The try was converted.

On the half hour, the Quins eventually broke their duck. Breaks by Johnny Hamill and Harry Rumens took play to the Crediton line, where Aaron Down dived over from the base of a ruck. Tom Robbins added the conversion.

Crediton finished the half strongly and added a penalty in injury time to lead 15-7 at the break.

They increased their lead soon after the restart, when the left winger finished off a good handling move. The try was successfully converted.

Midway through the half, the Quins reduced the lead with a well-worked move around the front of a lineout just inside the Crediton 22. The ball was palmed forward to scrum half Rhys Davies, whose pass found hooker Sam Dix in support with a clear run to the line. The try was unconverted.

A period of Crediton pressure was rewarded with a penalty.

The Quins threw caution to the wind in the final minutes and produced some promising handling moves. Eventually, Tom Robbins found space on the blindside of a ruck just inside the Crediton half. He still had plenty to do and left two defenders in his wake on the way to the line. He added the conversion to set up an exciting finish, but the visitors held on for a deserved win.

On Saturday (December 30), the Quins travel to take on Teignmouth 2nds.