Sidmouth 2nd Xv gave the Blackmore faithful value for money as they won an enthralling game with Devonport Service 31-27, writes Robert Baugh.

At one stage it looked as if the Quins were going to coast to victory with the clock ticking down and a 31-10 score line in their favour, but a rousing last ten minutes from the visitors saw them add 17 points before the final whistle blew to leave Quins victors by the narrowest of margins.

The home side had the best of the opening quarter and Harry Chesterton marked his first outing of the season with a storming run deep into visitors 22 and, from the ensuing scrum full-back Sam Meadham, another making a welcome return, crossed the try line, but was unable to ground the ball. The first score came soon after with fly half Matt Goss linking with Lewis Horne prior to the latter going over.

The visitors responded with an unconverted try, but the lost a player and the home sided took with Meadham finishing a flowing move following a quickly taken tap penalty.

The visiting response was again good and the sides trooped off at the break at 10-all.

Early in the second half a kick up-field saw a Lewis Horne tackle from which the ball bobbled into the grateful arms of Chesterton who went over from 40 metres out, and Matt Goss added the extras. The game could have evened up again, but for try saving Meadham tackle when the Devonport winger looked certain to score!

Another yellow card for the visitors did not help their cause as Chesterton ghosted through the defence to score his third try under the posts and the conversion was tucked away by Mike Boraston.

Devonport the produced that storming last ten minutes with three tries, but the Quins resisted any further to seal a superb victory.

The Quins star performer was Lewis Horne, but injury to James Stokes at the end took the shine off the victory.