Sidmouth Under-10s fielded three teams for their first competitive matches of the season, taking on teams from Topsham.

The Squires team’s first game against Topsham was an evenly fought game, Topsham took advantage by influencing the rucks, and made some quick runs through Sidmouths defence. By the second game Sidmouth had managed to rectify the rucks giving Topsham as good as they gave with some outstanding tackling by Alec Bagwell and Reece Hext while Arlo Squires broke through five players with a powerful run to score the first try for Sidmouth. In the third game, now gelling as a team, Alec Bagwell and Charlie Turley orchestrated things from the middle of the field and Scott Monro Higgs served up a number of bursting runs down the left wing.

The fearless Roman Moore put in some very brave tackles against some powerful opponents. Tries from Arlo Squires and Charlie Turley, saw Squires’ to victory.

The Thomas team took a while to get into their stride, certainly in game one, but competed well in the second and third games with all improving in their tackling and rucking techniques. Tackling and rucking were superb from Charlie Simic and Zac Arver.

Team Grove tore into their opposition with Harry Wood striding over the try line to open the scoring. Dillon Burrows struck soon after and, with Leon Rowley running good supporting lines and Oscar Bruce and Charley Rowland constantly looking to get in to the action, team Grove eased to victory.

Game two saw Grove under more pressure in attack, but Gyll Gray seized his opportunity to score a wonderful three-quarters-of-the-pitch solo try. In game three similar pressure was felt, and Toby Sanford roused the team with passionate, penetrating running and rucking, while Tom Grove showed admirable work rate at the breakdown and in his tackle count. The referee allowed the game to flow beautifully and Alexander Goody loosed of some exquisitely timed passes to release the wide runners in space. In the final throws Luca Arver bore the brunt of some of his typically strong drives.

Under-10s coach Dave Munro-Higgs said: “Overall it was a great morning of early season rugby. Much learned, but plenty more to work on and look forward to.

“It was great to see the boys picking up skills so quickly and playing so well.”