Perfect Paignton performance at the league leaders

And then they were fifth! Paignton, who can lay claim to being one of the most improved sides in the county, pulled off their best win of the season so far when they beat leaders Kingsbridge away in the Tribute SW Counties One Western West Division. 

The Cherries, who spent most of last season struggling near the bottom of the table, overcame a seven-point deficit at half-time to edge Kingsbridge 30-29 in typically gruelling conditions at High House. 

Martin Worthington’s side returned from the second seasonal ‘break’ to win with tries by Harry Ward in the first half and Dewald Stoop and replacement Jake Scott-Beamish in the second. 

Brad McKee, who has proved such a good signing since his summer move from Brixham, defied the wind and rain to kick 15 crucial extra points. 

Astley Park was waterlogged, so Brixham’s Regional One game against Launceston was postponed. 

But it was a day to remember at the Recreation Ground for Torquay Athletic’s Ryan Hannauer. 

The Counties Two Devon season is only eight games old, but Hannauer has already scored 14 tries. 

He marked his 50th ‘cap’ with four tries in a 47-0 demolition of South Molton to keep the Tics two points clear of Devonport Services 2nds at the top of the table. 

Most of the damage was done in the first half – Tics led 33-0 at half-time. 

There were away defeats for Newton Abbot and Teignmouth, both in the bottom half of Regional Two. 

The All Whites lost 45-19 at Wellington and Teignmouth went down 23-18 at Burnham-on-Sea. 

But Dartmouth lead the Counties Three South West after a 20-0 home win over Brixham 2nd XV. 

There was also a 15-0 win for the Tics over Paignton in the Colts bay derby game at Torre Valley North. 

Other results: Cos Three SW – Plymstock Albion Oaks II 13 Torquay Athletic II 14, Totnes 10, Kingsbridge II 17; NE – Newton Abbot II 5 Crediton II 29, Sidmouth II 26 New Cross 25, Teignmouth II 19 Exeter Athletic 24. 

This Saturday’s league fixtures include: Reg One – Lydney v Brixham; Reg Two – Newton Abbot v Wellington, Teignmouth v Chard; Cos One WW – Paignton v Bude; Cos Two Devon – Withycombe v Torquay Athletic; Cos Three SW – Brixham II v Plymstock Albion Oaks II, Kingsbridge II v Paignton II, Tamar Saracens v Dartmouth, Torquay Athletic II v Old Technicians, Plympton Victoria v Totnes; NE – Cullompton II v Newton Abbot II, New Cross v Teignmouth II.