CHOSEN HILL FP 13 SIDMOUTH 16

Looking for their fourth league victory of the season, Chosen had high hopes that it might come courtesy of a home victory over Sidmouth but their hopes were dashed when they lost both their centres to first half injuries.

Despite this set back, they were leading mid way through the second half but they eventually succumbed to two late Sidmouth penalty goals.

Playing up the slope, Chosen took the lead after just fourteen minutes when outside half Andy King dummied his way over for a try from fifteen metres out after his forwards had worked hard to set up a good attacking platform. King added the conversion for a seven point lead.

Sidmouth opened their account after twenty minutes when outside half Glen Channing landed a penalty goal after Chosen were caught off-side. Three minutes later Chosen lost centre Pete Gyde to a shoulder injury and he was replaced by Dave Wells with second row Marc Riddel moving out into the backs.

Worse was to follow for the home side as just a couple of minutes later their other centre Matt Elston was forced to leave the field with a dislocated thumb and he was replaced by flanker Mike Gardiner.

With half time approaching Chosen were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but a mix up in communications saw scrum half Sam Wilkinson take a quick tap instead of handing the ball to King to go for goal and the move was halted by the visitors defence meaning that the opportunity for more points was lost.

With Chosen’s make shift back division performing well, twenty minutes of the second half had been played before Sidmouth took the lead with a try and conversion from Channing but three minutes later King levelled at ten points all with a penalty goal.

With play moving from end to end, Sidmouth quickly responded to retake the lead with another Channing penalty but King levelled the scores again with his second penalty goal after seventy minutes.

With both teams desperate for the win, tensions were tight and Channing booted the visitors back into the lead with just eight minutes and injury time remaining.

Chosen piled on the pressure in the closing minutes but despite getting the ball over the line their forwards were unable to ground it and the Sidmouth defence held out to grab a victory that put them level on points with Chosen but below them in the table on points difference.

Next Saturday sees Chosen make their longest away trip as they travel to Cornwall to take on mid-table St Ives