Sidmouth 24 St Austell 18
Match report by Steve Murley

On a beautiful sunny day the Saints travelled to Sidmouth’s picturesque Blackmore ground for a tantalising top-of-the table clash.
Sidmouth had designated this as their Youth Celebration day and a large crowd were swollen by girls and boys of all ages, along with their parents and guardians, who gave a brilliant half-time demonstration.
Hats off to Sidmouth it was brilliant to see such fantastic engagement with their local community and that has to be good news for the on-going development of rugby in the area. Congratulations and thanks to all involved in organising the day.
With both teams entering the field through a guard of honour formed by youth players the crowd settled down for the action, and they didn’t have long to wait !
Within 45 seconds, Saints flanker Rob Jeffs came through the middle of the first ruck and played the scrumhalf. The referee brandished a yellow card at Jeffs and from the penalty Sidmouth pocketed the 3 points.
Sidmouth 3 – Saints 0 ( 1 min )
The Saints cleared their heads and resolutely defended the next 10 minutes brilliantly not conceding a score while down to 14 men.
With Jeffs return the Saints upped the pace forcing an attacking lineout and a catch and drive that was repulsed by Sidmouth. With the Saints now rampant Sidmouth, conceded a penalty which Chris Ashwin despatched to within 10 metres of their line. Vian rose majestically and the pack drove as one over the Sidmouth line, flanker Cam Taylor claiming the try
Sidmouth 3 – Saints 5 ( 13 mins Cam Taylor try )
Sidmouth had spent most of the time since the Saints returned to full strength camped in their own half but from a clearance kick into the Saints 22, the Saints returned a kick of their own. The referee spotted that the Saints chasers had not been put on-side nor had they retreated so play came back to the Saints 22 where Sidmouth took the scrum.
A great run around by the Sidmouth 9 linking with his outside backs who linked with his outside backs created space for wing Powell to storm over in the corner
Sidmouth 8 – Saints 5 ( 18 mins )
For the next 10 minutes the game was evenly balanced with no side able to create real points scoring opportunities. Tackling was fierce and line speed very quick as you would expect from 2 sides at the top of the league.
A great 50:22 from Cav Boyer saw the Saints set up camp in Sidmouth’s 22 and, while not able to get over the line a holding on infringement from the home side saw Chris Ashwin slot the penalty to level the game for the first time since the 1st minute
Sidmouth 8 – Saints 8 ( 31 mins Chris Ashwin pen )
Sidmouth roused themselves and used their kick off well to set up camp in the Saints half and when a Saints player was tardy in rolling away, Sidmouth once again took the points from just outside the 22 to regain their lead.
Sidmouth 11 – Saints 8 ( 34 mins )
With time running down and Sidmouth attacking Cav Boyer followed up his high kick out of defence and in competing for it made contact with a Sidmouth player. Sidmouth kicked back to the Saints 22 but lost the lineout with an overthrow which the Saints knocked on trying to move the ball wide. From the scrum a cute crash ball through the centres led to an offload to Lock to score with the conversion made.
Sidmouth 18 – Saints 8 ( 36 mins )
Half Time score - Sidmouth 18 – Saints 8
Saints were no doubt disappointed to leak 10 points in the last 10 minutes having dragged themselves back in the game but they were by no means out of things. Coach, Kyle Marriott made a half-time substitution of Hector Bright for Rob Jeffs
( Hector Bright on for Rob Jeffs - 41 mins )
Unfortunately the Saints once again conceded early points when they were penalised for not rolling away at the tackle and Sidmouth, as they had in the first half took the points and built scoreboard pressure.
Sidmouth 21 – Saints 8 ( 43 mins )
With defences still on top play was concentrated more in the middle of the pitch. Sadly Saints number 8 Jake Clifford tweaked his knee, a knock he couldn’t shake off, so Rob Jeffs returned to the fray
( Rob Jeffs on for Jake Clifford - 46 mins )
With Saints pushing hard to claw back some of the deficit prolific try scorer was set free and with the just the full back to beat, and having beaten him, was penalised for jumping into the tackle. An unusual offence but one from my view which was correctly given.
After 52 minutes coach Marriott looked to freshen up his side to push on and substituted Konnor Ewudzi for Fraser Nottle
( Konnor Ewudzi on for Fraser Nottle - 52 mins )
With Saints pushing hard the breakdown area became even more competitive as Saints tried to get more of the ball. Saints’ ill-discipline for not releasing in the tackle was penalised again and Sidmouth converted the penalty to extend their lead further.
Sidmouth 24 – Saints 8 ( 58 mins )
With Sidmouth’s lead extended to 16 points, 3 scores, things looked bleak for the Saints With one last roll of the dice Marriott replaced Charlie Nicholson with Matt Boothby
( Matt Boothby on for Charlie Nicholson 59 mins )
Rallying once again and with Sidmouth appearing to tire Saints enjoyed their most productive period of the match. Flanker Hector Bright carried deep into Sidmouth territory well supported by Dan Job. A quick clear out and fast hands saw centre Ben Plummer cross to left spirits further, the conversion was missed
Sidmouth 24 – Saints 13 ( 74 mins Ben Plummer try )
Saints needed to score soon to get the win and applied the pressure but came up against a well-drilled and robust Sidmouth defence with great line speed. With time running out there was one last twist in the tale as Konor Ewudzi completed a flowing move to score wide on the right hand side in the clubhouse corner.
Sidmouth 24 – Saints 18 ( 78 mins Konor Ewudzi try )
With time running out Saints continued to pummel away at Sidmouth but alas that was the final score
This was a pulsating top of the table match with both sides demonstrating that they have earned their league position. For the Saints it was a sobering lesson in the challenges that lie ahead and a timely reminder as we approach 2 successive Cornish derbies that we have more to do on the training field to ensure we fulfil our potential .
Full Time score - Sidmouth 24 – Saints 18

1 Dan Job; 2 Peter Harris ; 3 Matt Boothby; 4 Mark Vian (Capt.); 5 Andy Inch; 6 Rob Jeffs; 7 Cam Taylor; 8 Jake Clifford; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Dan Tyrrell; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Fraser Nottle; 15 Cavan Boyer
Reps (All used):
Konnor Ewudzi; Hector Bright; Charlie Nicholson

St Austell:
Tries – Cam Taylor (13); Ben Plummer (74); Konnor Ewudzi (78)
Cons –
Pens – Chris Ashwin (31)
Drop Goal –

Sidmouth:
Tries – 18, 36
Cons – 36
Pens – (1, 34, 43, 58)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Rob Jeffs (1)
Sidmouth: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Sidmouth: None