Sidmouth Under-16s were 34-15 winners when they travelled to Tiverton for a Fishermen’s Cup Plate fixture.

Still in the group stage of the competition, the match was a crucial one as both teams went into the contest having seen off all before them in the groups and so this clash would determine which side would take the high ground in terms of progression into the semi-finals of the competition.

The match was played on the Tiverton RFC main pitch and weather conditions were good - very little wind and dry; however, the going was very soft and muddy.

Tiverton kicked off and the players quickly got into their stride. Considering the Christmas layoff, the handling was good, as was the commitment from both sides. The opening exchanges were tight with neither side wanting to budge, but it was the visitors that were first to pounce.

An excellent interception try from Cole Monaghan, who also converted, opened the scoring after 10 minutes.

The opening score appeared to settle the Sidmouth boys, gradually growing in confidence.

They managed to camp inside the Tiverton half and continue to pile on the pressure, but struggled to convert it into points.

Eventually, around the half-hour mark, Jack Renfree popped up in the centre to nab another intercept pass, sprinting half of the pitch to score.

Tiverton bagged a late try and Sidmouth trooped off at the break with a 14-5 lead.

Sidmouth made changes for the start of the second half to introduce fresh legs and they began the second period well with Seb Stewart finishing a fine three-quarter move, touching down wide, then, shortly afterwards, Alex Peacock finished off a well-worked lineout move.

Tiverton hit back and some quick-thinking from their strong centre allowed them to dash over from a five-yard penalty.

Then arrived, arguably, the ‘try of the match’! It came from quick turnover ball that resulted in Cole Monaghan breaking from his own half, supported by St Johns School student Mykyta Yepanov on the wing, who crossed in the corner for the try.

There was still time for Finley Johnson to apply a polished finish to proceedings with the sixth and final Sidmouth try.