Sidmouth Quins make light work of visiting Buckfastleigh Ramblers

Quins produced an open expansive game whilst the visitors opted for a more forward-based style of play.

There was a welcome return of scrum half Matt Goss and, with Tom Hodge at fly-half this allowed the back line with all its pace to make plenty of inroads.

Winger Ben West was the first to benefit scoring wide out early on.

The Quins followed up with a fine team try. The forwards solid platform produced quick ruck ball on halfway, moving though many hands, Matt Goss made ground to the 22, the supporting James Leat finishing of the move scoring in the corner.

Tom Hodge extended the lead to 15-0 prior to half-time with another unconverted try after linkingwith Charlie Cotton after he made the extra man joining the line from fullback.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell at the start of the second half, pinning Sidmouth deep in their own half, until a five-metre line out saw their forwards drive over for an unconverted try.

Sidmouth responded with another team try, set up following a solid tackle from centre Giles Dixon deep in his own half causing a spilled ball, which was gathered and move down field, Matt Farrington being on hand to go over, Matt Goss adding the extras.

Replacement centre Adam Howe made an immediate impact on joining the fray, soon making inroads into the oppositions half, finally going over for an individual try which again Matt Goss converted.

The last period belonged to Buckfastleigh and in particular their number eight who proved to be the talisman for their forwards, who were finally rewarded with another unconverted try late on.

The Quins forwards showed strength in depth being able to make six substitutions without affecting continuity, which bodes well for this Saturday’s fixture away to Exmouth in the Merit Table.