Sidmouth Chiefs suffered their heaviest defeat in almost a year when beaten 35-6 at home by a powerful Kingsbridge team that looks sure to challenge for promotion once again this season, writes Terry O’ Brien.

The Chiefs kicked off in perfect conditions and made a promising start. They immediately regained possession to create early pressure. Kingsbridge worked their way out of defence but a powerful run by Tom Seward, following quick possession from a lineout on halfway, had them back-peddling again. He found plenty of support and it took a fine tackle by the full back to bring the move to a halt.

The Chiefs remained on the attack and were rewarded by a Dan Retter penalty in the tenth minute.

The visitors hit back almost immediately to take the lead with a try by the forwards from a lineout catch-and-drive play, which was converted.

A second Dan Retter penalty kept the Chiefs in touch as play was evenly contested through the middle of the half.

The deadlock was eventually broken when the Kingsbridge scrum half made a fine break to take play into the Sidmouth 22. The ball was driven through a couple of quick phases before being released into the open, where the outside centre scored on the overlap. He also added the conversion.

Kingsbridge then took a firm grip on the game in first half injury time with a second lineout catch-and-drive try. The conversion made the halftime score 6-21.

Sidmouth started the second half with great determination but a period of pressure failed to bring a score. And Kingsbridge eventually settled matters fifteen minutes into the half, with a bonus point score. They were awarded a penalty try when a five metre scrum collapsed on the Sidmouth line. The conversion under the posts was a fomality.

A fifth try soon followed, when the number eight burst through the middle of a stretched defence to score near the posts. The outside centre made it five conversions out of five.

The Chiefs showed good fighting spirit to prevent any further scores but will be keen to put this performance behind them as they seek to move back up the league table.

On Saturday the Chiefs travel to Cullompton for a local derby encounter.

At the Blackmore Field the Quins entertain Cullompton 2nds in a Merit Table game kicking off at 3pm. The Third team travel to play Exmouth 3rds. The Colts play a friendly against Brixham Colts at Sidford with a 3pm kick off.