As the 71-24 scoreline indicates, Brixham proved to be the strongest opposition Sidmouth have encountered this season.

For their part, the Chiefs came away from Astley Park with much credit for a spirited second-half performance, which had the Fishermen defending their line for long periods and receiving two yellow cards in the process.

The home side took the lead in the second minute when their young outside centre showed a great turn of speed to cut through from the 22 and touch down near the posts. This would be the first of four tries before he was replaced midway through the second half.

The Chiefs equalised three minutes later when they maintained possession through many phases until Cameron Grainger made an opening and offloaded for George Locke to sprint in under the posts.

That proved to be a false dawn for the Chiefs. Brixham scored seven unanswered tries as their ability to break over the gain-line and offload in the tackle created many openings.

The Chiefs finished the half on the attack and were awarded a penalty try for a deliberate knock on just before the half-time whistle. Five minutes after the restart, the Brixham centre scored his fourth try to cap an impressive display from a talented player.

The Chiefs hit back almost immediately, as Cameron Grainger gained possession from a charged-down kick and exchanged passes with Richie Drewett before diving over in the left corner.

Brixham responded with their tenth try before the Chiefs dominated territory for the next 20 minutes without reward.

Brixham broke out to score before the Chiefs finished in style when Jake Allen intercepted inside his own half to sprint clear and touch down under the posts and convert his own try. The bonus point ensured a home semi-final in the Senior Shield against Ivybridge on Saturday.

The kick off against Ivybridge at Blackmore is 3pm and it would be fantastic to see a healthy crowd in attendance as the rugby season draws to a climax. The Quins travel to Okehampton in the 2nd Team shield semi-final.