Sidmouth Chiefs will go into the new year at the top of a very competitive league following a hard-fought 34-20 victory at the end of the year, writes Terry O’Brien.

Teignmouth proved to be tougher opposition than their position in the bottom half of the league would indicate. Their forwards provided hard opposition with the set pieces being evenly contested and their driving maul being a potent weapon. However, the pace of the Chiefs backs proved to be the decisive factor.

Teignmouth opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark from a lineout catch-and-drive play when they drove over from 15 metres out. The try was converted by the full back.

The Chiefs replied almost immediately when Tom Hodge broke following a scrum on the ten-metre line to send Sam Heathcote sprinting over for an unconverted try. Fellow wingman Cian Warren showed an equal turn of speed as he beat two men on a sprint from halfway to touch down a second unconverted try.

Teignmouth levelled the scores with a penalty.

The Chiefs went into half-time ahead thanks to an injury time score when Shaun Malton peeled off a maul near the line to force his way over. Again, the try was unconverted leaving the score at 15-10. Teignmouth narrowed the score with a penalty soon after the restart.

The Chiefs responded with a purple patch for the next ten minutes. Shaun Malton made a strong break from halfway and found Rory O’Brien in support to finish the move off under the posts. Jake Smith converted.

Rory O’Brien scored a second on the end of a move started in his own 22. Jake Allen fielded a kick and linked with Cian Warren who sprinted deep into the Teignmouth half before sending O’Brien clear for another converted try.

Five minutes later, a multi-phase move saw the ball pass through many pairs of hands until Teignmouth ran out of defenders for Sam Heathcote to bag his second try.

Teignmouth fought back to dominate the final quarter to test the Sidmouth defence, which stood the test well but did concede one try when the right winger finished off a fine handling move. The conversion completed the scoring.

On Boxing Day, the Chiefs play their annual match against the President’s XV kicking off at 2pm, entry is by a £5 donation.