Barnstaple Chiefs march on with a battling victory in the National League

They were made to work hard but Barnstaple Chiefs did enough to earn a 19-12 victory over Lymm at Pottington Road in the National League 2 West Division.

Barum remain third in the table and face a trip to bottom club Syston this weekend. Matt Gohl piked up man of the match for the Chiefs, who are impressing everyone in the division with their superb transition to the new level.

There was also a special visitor to the club on Saturday, as former Barum prop and student at Pilton Community College, Danny Southworth, popped in to say hello. Southworth made his international debut for Wales in the Autumn Series.

It was a strange weekend for Bideford Chiefs, who earned a home walkover against Dartmouth, but massive credit to the visitors who still travelled north with 11 players. Bideford loaned them four players to at least ensure there was some rugby to enjoy. Bideford are away to Tavistock this weekend.

South Molton came very close to springing a surprise on league leaders Devonport Services in the Counties 2 Devon division. The All Blacks twice led their visitors before Devonport staged a late surge to emerge 27-21 victors. Luke Sanders (2) and Reid Allen scored the tries for South Molton, with Tommy Heard adding three conversions.

Despite taking a depleted squad to Crediton, Ilfracombe RFC were unfortunate to lose a tight game 20-14, Aaron Stainer and Connor Irwin crossing for the Combe.

Torrington just fell short in a cracking North Devon derby with Barnstaple, losing 31-38, despite tries from James Reeves, Nick Evans, Will Brown, Kieron Murdoch and Peter Dymond.  

Something special is brewing at Sandy Park, as Exeter Chiefs added to their outstanding start to the league season with a dominant opening display in the European Champions Cup.

Welcoming South African outfit Cheetahs to East Devon, the hospitality ended abruptly as the Chiefs raced into a superb 35-7 lead at the break, Len Ikitau, Greg Fisilau, Harvey Skinner, Scott Sio, and Henry Slade all dotting down.

The Cheetahs were better after the break but came up against an Exeter defensive wall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso adding one more try for the Chiefs, who travel to Racing 92 next weekend.

Chiefs’ coach Dave Walder told BBC Sport: "We put the game to bed in the first half hour. The try before half-time was really crucial and some of our tries in the first half were outstanding. It was a shame we didn't kick on in the second half but I think mentally after half an hour we were in a good place.

"Sometimes you can be a little bit fearful [against teams] or get a little bit complacent and I thought we judged it well. If you had said at the start of the day you would win 42-12 and be in the situation we are in you would have taken that.”