Brilliant Brixham win goes down to the wire

A storming fightback, topped off by Mitch Pinkus’ last-gasp penalty, snatched a 39-36 victory for Brixham over previously unbeaten Chew Valley in a thriller at Astley Park.
It was a big result for the Fishermen, who trailed 10-24 in the first half of a pulsating contest, which saw both sides reduced to 13 men at different stages.
The Avon visitors led 36-29 near the end, before Matt Crosscombe completed a memorable hat-trick of tries.
Pinkus ‘converted’ that one, before nailing the all-important penalty.
J-P Simonetti marked his 100th appearance with a try and Hayden Lidstone also crossed for Brixham on a day of surprises which shook up the top of the table.
Chew had started the day as leaders, but second-placed Devonport Services also lost, 16-41 at Barnstaple, and in-form Exmouth went down (3-19) at St Austell.
So the top of the Tribute SW League Regional One table now reads: Launceston 19pts, Chew Valley 17, Services 15, Exmouth 15, Barnstaple 14, Brixham 13.
This Saturday, Brixham head for Devonport Services with both points and revenge for last season’s narrow Devon Cup Final defeat on their minds.
In Regional Two there were away defeats for Teignmouth, who lost 14-55 at Wellington, and Newton Abbot, who were on the end of a 106-7 mauling at Wadebridge Camels.
Paignton gave a spirited second-half display at Bolham Road before losing 15-27 to Tiverton in Counties One Western West.
David Siddall and Ollie Woodcock scored tries for the Cherries, with five ‘extras’ from Brad McKee’s boot.
Counties Two Devon leaders Torquay Athletic helped themselves to 12 tries in a 78-7 home win over a North Tawton side still mourning the sudden death of centre Gary Sizmur.
Carl Turner, George Gibson, Mawgan Penrice, Ryan Hannauer (2), Matt Allanson (2), Jack Akery, Alex Loewy, Isaac Fahey and Tom Drake all touched down for the Tics, with Lewis Crocker adding nine conversions.
Torquay top the table with 20pts, from Devonport Services 2nds on 19, Withycombe 16 and South Molton 15.
The Tics head for Plymouth to meet OPMs this weekend.
Other results: Cos Three SW – Dartmouth 47 Tavistock II 5, Paignton II 32 Plympton Victoria 0, Tamar Saracens 31 Torquay Athletic II 14, Totnes 7 Brixham II 85; NE – Newton Abbot II 22 Tiverton II 36, Teignmouth II 21 Topsham II 38, Torrington 20 New Cross 33.
This Saturday’s league fixtures include: Reg One – Devonport Services v Brixham; Reg Two – Newton Abbot v Burnham-on-Sea, Teignmouth v Topsham; Cos One WW – Paignton v Bideford; Cos Two Devon – OPMs v Torquay Athletic; Cos Three SW – Brixham II v Tamar Saracens, Salcombe v Paignton II, Torquay Athletic II v Kingsbridge II, Old Technicians v Totnes, Plympton Victoria v Dartmouth; NE – New Cross v Crediton II, Okehampton II v Teignmouth II.