Draw for Barnstaple Chiefs against Redruth and big win for Bideford

It was a rare draw for Barnstaple Chiefs in the National League 2 West, as Barum battled to a 21-21 tie with Redruth at Pottington Road.

Barnstaple were excellent in the first half, racing into an early lead when Jordan Petherbridge dotted down and Jake Murphy added the extras. Redruth responded to level the scores on 23 minutes but Barum then took control.

Man of the match Cameron Johnson restored the lead, Murphy again doing the job with the boot, and a converted score from Ryan Lee in the final minute of the half gave Barum a powerful 21-7 advantage.

Redruth, however, came storming back and secured a draw with a brace of tries from former Exeter Chief Tom Cowan-Dickie, who has also played for Leicester Tigers and Ospreys. Barnstaple are next in action with a trip to Loughborough Students on March 14.

Barnstaple Athletic delivered an inspired attacking performance to defeat Truro 38-17.

Bideford Chiefs were outstanding in their 34-15 win over Withycombe, barrelling into their opponents with a bright start that saw George Terry cross the whitewash in the early stages, Fred Fishleigh slotting the conversion.

The hosts scored again 10 minutes later with a well worked backs move that resulted in Fishleigh flopping over the line. Withycombe replied with a penalty in front the posts to get on the scoreboard. 

It was, however, a momentary glimmer for the visitors, who were put to the sword again by Dean Folland, stretching the Bideford lead to 17-3 at the half-time interval.

The Chiefs remained in complete control after the break, Jack Balsdon and Reece Pearn adding further tries to put the result beyond doubt. To their credit, Withycombe rallied with a couple of scores but Ruben Stacey had the final word with a superb try to complete victory.

“Very proud of the performance and I thought we left a few more points out there,” said Bideford boss Bradley Goaman. “The character, grit and fight was excellent and you can see they are a tight group. It’s the best we have played this season.

“We now move on to a local derby up the road this Saturday and it’s a big challenge, as South Molton played very well at our place.”

South Molton will come into that game full of confidence after an impressive second-half display gave them a 50-6 victory at Crediton 2nds, Tim Holland picking up the Man of the Match with another dominant display.

Ilfracombe Rugby Club rattled in 13 tries in their 81-0 dismantling of Topsham. Pita Raiqeu and Ellis Rees both notched hat-tricks, there were braces for Alipate Biaudamu and Aaron Stainer, with further scores from Lee Rulton, Josh Rumson and Adam Wyatt.