Sidmouth 37, Tiverton 7 Sidmouth Colts take a useful lead into the second leg of this Devon Plate match away at Tiverton this coming Saturday, but they will feel they could play better and if they are to progress in this competition they will need to be tougher and more clinical.

After a disjointed first 25 minutes when Sidmouth threw away several opportunities to take the lead, they went behind to a sniping try by the impressive Tiverton scrum-half.

By half-time Sidmouth had re-grouped and worked-out that by playing accurately through phases they could build pressure and create space. Good decision making and simple passing would do the rest and six tries followed, all to outside backs.

Fly half, Dominic Bess, had an excellent game with good defence, distribution and tactical kicking. Outside him, George Locke was the pick of the backs. His tackling contained the Tiverton midfield and his running angles and passing created space for the players around him.

Winger Tom Stokes showed sharp finishing and he deserved his two tires. At scrum-half Astley-Jones is improving with each game and in the forwards Perchard-Richards, Lewis Horne, Pares, Carlisle, James Thomas, Hansford and Haydon Down all showed well.

The scoring was completed by Dan Powell, Reid Mawdsley and Charlie Cotton. Charlie is one of three colts regularly playing for the first team this season. Last week he was with the Chiefs in Gloucester where he scored two tries against Coney Hill. Returning to play for the Colts he looks mature, confident and full of potential and he is a great example for the excellent upcoming juniors in the club.