Jostling for position in local rugby

If any side could be called the surprise packets of the Tribute SW Regional One season so far, it’s probably Launceston, but Barnstaple discovered that the Cornishmen no flash in the pan when they lost 17-20 at Polson Bridge at the weekend.

Barum went into the game in great form and, with so long to go in a long season, their promotion challenge is far from over.

They led 17-13 in the second half, before Launceston hit back to win and preserve their second place, two points behind leaders Chew Valley.

Barnstaple, who host Lydney (5th) this weekend, are fourth, still only six points off the pace.

Okehampton have also been in good form, but they were slowed by Matson in Gloucestershire. Matson won 29-21 despite tries by Ollie Bridger and Matt Coles, with Luke Simmonds kicking eleven extra points.

It’s a logjam at the top of Regional Two, where three points cover the top six sides – Wadebridge Camels 29, Crediton 29, Sidmouth 29, Cullompton 27, North Petherton 27 and Topsham 26.

Crediton made no mistake dispatching Newton Abbot 59-29 down at Rackerhayes, while Sidmouth also put 50 points on Burnham-on-Sea (52-14) at home.

Cullompton were comfortable 44-10 winners over Wellington, while Camels had to battle to hold off mid-table Teignmouth 22-18 at Bitton Park and Topsham thumped Truro 68-26 at the Bonfire Field.

The pick of this Saturday’s matches are probably Crediton against North Petherton (5th) at Blagdon and Topsham’s trip to Wadebridge.

Kingsbridge are the new leaders of Counties One WW after a 32-10 home win over Bude.

There was a change at the top because pacesetters Plymstock Albion Oaks’ home game against Tiverton had to be abandoned - the referee sustained an injury.

Tavistock are fourth after overcoming a setback of their own before the 37-19 victory at Wiveliscombe.

Tavvy’s Conor Packwood was injured in the warm-up, but they still won with tries from Jack Easton, Liam Watts, Hammy Kerswill, Jamie Lugg and George Hillson, with ‘extras’ from Hillson’s boot.

Torquay Athletic’s 100% start in Counties Two Devon is over, thanks to Barnstaple 2nd XV, who pipped the Tics 17-14 at Pottington Road.

That’s opened things up a bit, with Torquay (31) now two points ahead of Devonport Services 2nds and four clear of Barnstaple.

And congratulations to North Tawton, who earned their first win of the season, a tight one 21-19 at home to Ivybridge 2nds.

Topsham and Crediton 2nd XVs remain clear at the top of Counties Three North-East after wins over Tiverton (59-22) and Cullompton (41-10) respectively.

Other results: NE – Exeter Athletic 31 Sidmouth II 29, Okehampton II w/o Torrington; SW – Tavistock II 31 Totnes 15.

This Saturday’s league fixtures include: Reg One – Barnstaple v Lydney (2pm), Weston-super-Mare v Okehampton, Devonport Services v Exmouth; Reg Two – Crediton v North Petherton (2.30pm), Cullompton v Newton Abbot, Wadebridge Camels v Topsham, Chard v Sidmouth; Cos One WW – Tiverton v Wiveliscombe, Bideford v Plymstock Albion Oaks, Bude v Tavistock; Cos Two Devon – Exeter Saracens v Barnstaple II, Honiton v Plymouth Argaum, North Tawton v OPMs, Torquay Athletic v South Molton, Exmouth II v Withycombe; Cos Three SW – Tavistock II v Plympton Victoria; NE – Newton Abbot II v Crediton II, Okehampton II v Tiverton II, Sidmouth II v New Cross, Torrington v Cullompton II, Teignmouth II v Exeter Athletic.