Sidmouth U11s 117, the Rest of Devon u11 0 - I thought this score line might attract your attention.

By Roger AplinU11s Devon FestivalSidmouth U11s 117, the Rest of Devon u11 0 - I thought this score line might attract your attention, but this is effectively what the Sidmouth squad achieved on a quite remarkable Sunday in Exmouth when, for the third year running, they became Devon Festival Champions.Sidmouth was drawn in the 'pool of death' against three of the top teams in Devon, meaning that they would have to play an extra game with the hardest route to the final.l Game 1: Sidmouth 28, Exeter Chiefs 0: Totally dominated by the Sidmouth forwards, who won every scrum, line out, ruck and maul. Try scorers were: Jerome Blackburn, Tom Counsell (2), Billy Collin. Drop goals taken instead of conversions to conserve time - Tom Counsell (4).l Game 2: Sidmouth 12, Kingsbridge 0: Try scorers were: Tom Counsell, Theo Headon. Drop goal: Tom Counsell. l Game 3: Sidmouth 21 Topsham 0: The Topsham pack pushed Sidmouth all the way but Sidmouth backs always had the upper hand. Try scorers were: Tom Counsell (2), Billy Collin. Drop goal: Jerome Blackburn (2), Henry Thomas. l Quarter Final: Sidmouth 14 Cullompton 0: For the last two seasons Sidmouth had played Cullompton in the final and won by a solitary try so the hardest game of the tournament was expected and so it proved to be. Try scorers were: Aaron Bagwell, Tom Counsell. Drop goal - Tom Counsell (2).l Semi Final: Sidmouth 21 Ivybridge 0: Try scorer were: Lucan Horsnell, Tom Counsell (2). Drop goal - Tom Counsell (3).l Final: Sidmouth 21 Okehampton 0: An early try settled the nerves for Sidmouth and an unselfish run and pass by Tom Counsell, superbly finished by Angus Eaton, made the game safe.Try Scorers : Tom Counsell (2), Angus Eaton. Drop goal - Tom Counsell (3).The match statistics do not do justice to the team effort put in by all the squad members. The forwards' high work rate put the ball on a plate for the half backs, whose running and distribution skills gave the rest of the three quarter line every opportunity to score. The most startling statistic was not to concede a single point, despite many strong and talented teams being present, showing the whole teams' commitment to the tackle. The whole squad was quite simply brilliant!! Squad: Theo Headon, Lucan Horsnell, Calib Sampson, Jack Bevans, Jerome Blackburn, Aaron Bagwell, Sam Cavin, Tom Counsell, Angus Eaton, Jack Scrivens, Billy Collin, Henry Thomas, William Thomas, Charlie Norris, Toby Lee, Finley Stone and Oliver Aplin.Special mention should also be made to the three Sidmouth players who played for South Molton; Tom Thorn, Edward Oswald, and Nick Gidley and who won a game, despite still being two players short. This will prove to be valuable experience of playing in a festival as the boys all challenge for next year's team.