Sidmouth Chiefs won their second game of the season on the other side of the Tamar with a solid performance in constant rain, but had to come from behind to do so against spirited Falmouth, defending an unbeaten home record, one broken by the Chiefs with a 26-17 final score, writes Terry O’Brien.
With the Chiefs conceding early penalties, Falmouth took advantage to kick off position and exert pressure. The Sidmouth pack did well to resist two line-out catch-and-drive plays from five metres out.
At a third attempt, Josh Bess stole the ball for his side to clear upfield for some temporary relief.
When Falmouth hacked on a loose ball into the Sidmouth 22, Sam Meadham reacted quickly to fall on it, but was penalised for failing to release it quickly enough. The referee judged that he had prevented a probable score and ran under the post to award a penalty try.
The Chiefs went on the attack from the restart kick and were soon rewarded with a penalty kicked by Rory O’Brien.
Well-placed kicking by the Sidmouth half backs O’Brien and Johnny Hamill kept play in the home half, while strong running by the forwards, with Peli Vea, Ollie Pyne and Ollie Derryman to the fore, kept the defence under pressure.
The result was a second Rory O’Brien penalty.
Falmouth came back strongly and, after a period of pressure in the Sidmouth 22, increased their lead when the right winger followed up a diagonal kick to touch down in the corner. The try was converted from the touchline.
The Chiefs finished the half strongly and capitalised when the Falmouth tight head prop was yellow carded for a high tackle. Rory O’Brien kicked the resulting penalty.
Minutes later, Falmouth failed to field a box kick. Dan Rugg followed up quickly to scoop up the ball.
He was stopped short of the try- line but Ollie Pyne was on hand to drive over from the resulting ruck for a converted try, which gave his side a two-point half-time lead.
The Chiefs took control of the game with an outstanding try immediately after the restart. Sam Meadham fielded a kick just outside his own 22 to start a counterattack.
The ball passed through many hands before the move was ended deep inside the opposing 22. The ball was quickly recycled and moved to an overlap on the right for Cameron Grainger to dive over in the corner. Rory O’Brien converted from the touchline.
With conditions deteriorating, neither side could gain control. With ten minutes to go Falmouth hopes of a comeback were raised with a successful penalty kick.
Five minutes later that was cancelled out, when Rory O’Brien made it six kicks out of six, and the Chiefs played out the remaining time safely.
On Saturday (December 1), the Chiefs entertain Kingsbridge at the Blackmore Field, kicking off at 2.30pm.
The Quins travel to Ilfracombe for a top-of-the table clash aiming to keep their 100 per cent Merit table record.
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