Bideford blitz Devonport Services in finest display of the rugby season

Bideford Chiefs produced their best performance of the season to defeat high-flying Devonport Services in a superb game enjoyed by a packed crowd.

The Chiefs grabbed the lead when Ethan Paddon crossed after a quick tap and Bideford extended their advantage with a score from Dec Smale.

Devonport, who started the game with a dominant lead at the top of the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Devon League, responded with some attacking quality to reduce the arrears to 12-10, but the Chiefs had the last laugh in an entertaining half, Sam Olde flopping over the line.

Again, the visitors fought back to bring the scores level, and again the Chiefs went through the gears to restore their lead with a terrific individual try from man of the match Reece Pearn

The game was on a knife-edge when Services hit back with two tries before Mitch Harris scored with a Pearn conversion. Bideford then took the lead again with a penalty, 36-33.

The Devonport backs combined beautifully to snatch the lead with just two minutes remaining but Bideford piled on the pressure, forcing the visitors into conceding penalties. The winning moment arrived via substitute Ruben Stacey diving over in the corner and Pearn added the conversion in front of a jubilant home crowd.

“You want to start fast at home and get the crowd behind you, and we did that,” said Bideford boss Bradley Goaman.

“In the first half, we were outstanding. Second half, we probably took our eye off the ball a bit and Devonport services came back into it. The players kept believing and we got the win which we deserved. Credit also to the coaching team, who are doing a fantastic job at the club.”

Barnstaple Chiefs suffered a chastening 54-24 home loss to Camborne in the National League 2 West.

The Cornishmen were excellent in the first half at Pottington Road, racing into a 26-5 lead, with the only bright moment coming from a Bertie Stretch try. Camborne continued their dominant display to extend their advantage to 40-5 early in the second period.

Bryn-Lee Jago and Ben Parsons cheered the home crowd with a couple of scores before the visitors stamped on the neck again with another brace of tries. Cameron Johnson crossed in the closing minutes for a bonus point try but Barum were beaten by the better side on the day.

Torrington just fell on the right side of a rugby classic, winning 34-33 at Exeter Saracens with tries scored by Ben Bourn, Tom Owen, Ben Sawyer, Sam Colwill, Gregor Boundy and Darren White.

Ilfracombe overpowered a spirited but depleted Honiton side 84-12, tries coming from Alipate Biaudamu (3), Louis Beer (2), Ellis Rees (2), Vincent De Lange, Matt Prideaux, Pita Raiqeu, Jack Gammon, James Mascall, Jack Furber and Kieran Reed. Rob Holmes added the extras.

South Molton staged a terrific second-half fightback to secure an entertaining and dramatic 40-38 victory over Withycombe.