Brixham 13 Sidmouth 14 Sidmouth Under-15s emerged victorious after a tough encounter at Brixham that sees them into the final of this season’s plate competition, writes Steve Searle.

In the early exchanges neither side were willing to concede anything and Brixham began enjoying plenty of possession,. However the game’s openings core was created by a Brixham mistake!

A chip up-field only landed in the arms of Will Counsell and he set off on a run that ended with him passing to his brother Tom who then, using his trade-mark flair, charged through the home ranks and over the line.

Sam Cavin tucked over the conversion and Sidmouth held a 7-0 lead inside ten minutes.

Guillermo Bazarra made a spirited run down the wing and was only stopped from scoring by a brilliant tap tackle by Brixham defence.

Both sides then entered a phase of kicking, and before long, Brixham made a strong attack only to be denied by a wonderful Billy Collins tackle.

Unfortunately, a line-out followed and Brixham were able to pass it down the line to get their first points on the board with an unconverted try to reduce the point’s difference to two.

In the second half the flow of the game was similar to the first period. Not long after the re-start Tom Counsell scored his second try of the match which and again Cavin slotted the extra’s to leave Sidmouth leading 14-5.

A penalty for offside gave Brixham their next opportunity and they duly took the three points to bring them closer to Sidmouth’s total.

Pressure from Brixham intensified and another brilliant tackle by Billy Collins at full back ten yards out once again prevented a home score.

Sidmouth were now on the back foot finally succumbed to the pressure and Brixham scored a second try, but again, crucially, the conversion was not slotted.

Sidmouth had to contend with more pressure and put up a fantastic defence to keep Brixham out but gave away a penalty that Brixham were once again unable to capitalize on and the scores remained the same.

Again Brixham came back and with Sidmouth now down to 14 players because of a yellow card the play became even more intense, another break by Brixham was stopped dead in its tracks again by Billy, and virtually on the same spot as his previous try saving tackle!

Sidmouth maintained their defence and gained a penalty seconds from the final whistle, a kick into touch, a lineout and back into touch and the game was over.

The Man of the Match does not feature in under-15s rugby, but if it did undoubtedly, it would have gone to Billy Collins whose play as full back, not a popular position with most boys, was nothing short of brilliant.

This was certainly a nail-biting match that had more entertainment than many international games! Well done boys.