Sidmouth Under-9s travelled to Topsham for their latest matches.

Numbers in both camps were such that each could field three teams for round-robin matches played on slightly smaller than usual pitches.

The first Sidmouth team in action quickly discovered that, on a bizarrely narrow pitch, expansive running was off the menu!

Instead they set about the task of belligerent tackling with the determination of a scorned Springbok!

Zac Arver set the defensive tone with a thumping retreating tackle and the others fell in line with notable performances from Imogen Bagwell and, in the final phases of play, Ben Brook who emerged from beneath the heap with a big grin. As usual Ellie Monro Higgs stormed home with a couple of tries, Daisy Grove made a couple of swerving runs up the pitch, and Oscar Bruce proved very useful linking the different players together. Toby Mortimer showed great determination as he took the game to the opposition, riling the referee at times, but off-loading the ball well in contact. Tom Bird played with the verve we’ve become used to and won the respect of the opposition, running in a clutch of tries in otherwise low scoring games.

The second team out comprised of captain Ted Jenkins with Will Allen, Alec Bagwell, Alexander Goody, Sam Hartland, Thomas Grove, Leon Rowley, Luca Arver and Toby Sanford. With some good support play on some very narrow pitches it really was a tackling frenzy with very little space. With a good win the team moved on to game two captained by Toby Sanford. This was a close game with good defensive tackling from Topsham pushing Sidmouth back up the pitch. The rugby reached dizzy heights with Alec Bagwell and Luca Arver clashing heads leading to a short first half and Laisey Jackson joining the team with Alec Bagwell and Luca Arver resting. Having lost the second game they moved onto game three with Sam Hartland as captain. Thomas Grove, Alexander Goody and Toby Sanford scored some good strong tries having received good supporting passes from their team. A range of big tackles were made by Sam Hartland and Leon Rowley which led to a win in the third game.

The third team out played very well against a strong set of Topsham units losing the first and drawing the second before winning the third!

During the games there were some great tries from Jack Pugh, Archie Rowcliffe, Scott Monro Higgs, Charlie Turley and Herbie Isherwood. Try of the day went to Jack Pugh. The tackling keeps on improving week to week and there was a try-saving tackle from Harry Wood in the second game to secure the draw and some great support running from Dominic Clapp, William Morris, Toby Morris and Thomas Biggers.