Sidmouth Under-16s were involved in a real battle against Kingsbridge before slipping to a narrow 15-10 defeat.

The weather made any form of running rugby very hard to play! Pouring rain, sodden ground and cold players made for challenging conditions that both sets of players did well to battle again – if not over come!

Kingsbridge started well and put the home side under pressure. Only a terrific tackle from Sidmouth skipper Dix denied the South Devon side the opening try.

Play continued in the Sidmouth half and Kingsbridge won a scrum against the head, safe hands passing the ball wide to score in the corner.

Sidmouth responded and play progressed downfield into Kingsbridge territory. Eventually the home team broke through the visitors’ defence and Hill evened the score.

It was difficult to avoid knock-ons with a muddy ball and slippery pitch so, tactically, both teams resorted to low kicks to try and force handling errors from their opponents.

The impasse was broken when, in the last moments of the first half, a breakaway try from the fast Kingsbridge prop gave the visitors a 10-5 lead.

In the second half Sidmouth were advancing towards the Kingsbridge try line when one of the visitors intercepted the ball, ran through the Sidmouth line, and with his speed and downhill momentum, a try seemed inevitable.

However, Bolton chased him the length of the pitch to bring him down just short of the posts!

The Sidmouth defence regrouped to resist further Kingsbridge pressure and prevented a further score. Eventually the home team forced play back up the pitch and a strong try by Cornish evened the score again.

In the closing stages the visitors scored the games fifth and final try to secure a 15-10 success.

Sidmouth coach Daryl Pearce said: “Five tries and no conversions in a hard fought match in adverse conditions which tested the strategic play of both teams. It was a hard old slog and, I am sure, great experience for all concerned.”