As could be expected between teams in fourth and fifth league positions, this was a close and entertaining encounter.

In the end, the result hinged on the implosion of the Sidmouth lineout in the last half hour. They lost five lineouts in or near the Wadebridge 22 on their own throw and lost control of a game they were well positioned to win.

Wadebridge opened the scoring after just three minutes with an outstanding try, started in their own half with the ball moving through many hands before the left winger touched down in the corner.

The Chiefs hit back almost immediately when they forced play into the home 22 from the restart kick. The ball was moved quickly through many phases to create an overlap on the left for Jake Allen to sprint over for an unconverted try.

A dominant scrum earned the Chiefs a penalty kicked by Cole Monaghan to put his side ahead.

The Chiefs continued to dominate territory and eventually increased their lead when Cameron Grainger sniped over on the blindside of a maul after the forwards had driven ten metres towards the line from a lineout. Cole Monaghan converted.

Wadebridge came back into the game in the closing ten minutes of the half and closed the gap to four points thanks to two penalties kicked by the scrum half.

Three minutes into the second half, the Chiefs increased their lead when Jake Allen and Tom Hodge combined in a move down the left touchline taking play from their own half deep into the opposing 22. After a series of rucks, Hodge found a gap to cross for a try to open up a nine-point lead.

Two minutes later, Wadebridge reduced the arrears to two points with a slick handling move from a tap penalty for a converted try. The home side took the lead with a try by the number eight from a move around the front of a lineout inside the 22.

Despite the game continuing at a high pace, there was no further scoring. Wadebridge 23 Sidmouth 20. 

On Saturday the Chiefs entertain Teignmouth in a game rearranged from December kicking off at 2.30pm. The Quins play Ivybridge 2nds in the Devon 2nd Team Cup at Sidford kicking off at 2.30pm. The Colts travel to Bideford.