Sidmouth Quins maintained their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive 31-5 victory over Exeter Engineers.

The win at Blackmore marked their seventh straight victory, propelling them to the top of the Counties 3 league table.

Sidmouth's dominance was evident from the outset as they faced a team that had scored nearly 200 points in their previous three games.

The Quins, playing uphill in the first half, controlled possession and territory, primarily through the boot of Man of the Match Jake Smith and some impressive phase play.

The pressure paid off, with Jake Allen slicing through the defence for the first try.

Alfie Collins then stole an Engineers lineout, and Ollie Marsh's powerful drive put the visitors on the back foot.

Ryan Davies, catching the opposition off-guard, charged into the 22.

With the Engineers' defence in disarray, Alex Clemo-Crosby, Tom Butler, and Jake Paget combined to give Sam Basnett the space to double the lead.

Despite the Engineers' attempts to make a comeback, the home defence was relentless.

Even when the visitors managed to force their way over the line, they were held up.

Sidmouth rounded off the first half with another well-worked try, with Ollie Marsh bundling over the line.

Jake Smith added the extras, giving the Quins a 17-0 lead at the break.

The Engineers emerged with more purpose in the second half, but Sidmouth used the slope to their advantage, keeping the visitors pinned back in their own half for extended periods.

Sidmouth's bonus point try came on the hour mark, with debutant hooker Harry Backwell dotting down off the back of a dominant maul.

Smith's conversion was on target.

The Engineers managed to score a scrappy effort down the left wing, but Sidmouth's fierce defence ensured they couldn't add to their tally.

There were still chances at both ends, with Charlie Farrington-Smith putting in a massive 80-minute shift at loosehead.

The Engineers pushed for a second try, but Sidmouth, with the game and bonus point secured, refused to concede easy points.

The Quins now have a two-week break before their next test, a home fixture against second-placed Crediton on November 16.

The team line-up was: Charlie Farrington-Smith, Harry Backwell, Ned Coles, Alfie Collins, Tom Butler, Ollie Marsh (Kyle Baker), Jake Paget (Isaac Lidster), Ryan Davies, Alex Clemo-Crosby (Charles Edwards), Jake Smith, Sam Basnett (Harry Guy), Jack Hembrow, Scott Henderson, Ollie Hansford-Harvey, Jake Allen.