Brixham prevail in classic clash

A match that will live long in the memory for Brixham supporters saw replacement Connor Doneathy score an opportunist try in the corner to snatch a 39-38 victory over Tribute South West Regional One leaders Barnstaple at Astley Park.
It looked as if in-form Barnstaple would edge a pulsating contest, and earn a fifth successive win, when they scored a try and a penalty to lead 38-34 with only seconds left.
But the Fishermen, playing up the Astley slope and into the wind, were not quite finished.
They forced three penalties in succession, Barum also having a man sent to the ‘bin’, before Doneathy finally scooped the loose ball off the ground and plunged over for the winner.
The score at half-time was 14-14 after home tries by Scott Pearce and Joel Ashworth, who converted both.
In a see-saw second half, Nathan Reeves, Ashworth again, Harry Rodwell and Matt Crosscombe all scored more tries in a match of the season contender.
The result improved Brixham’s already impressive home record, and they are now (5th) ten points behind Chew Valley, who are top again after a 44-12 home win over St Austell.
There’s another important weekend ahead, for Brixham travel to bottom-of-the-table Weston- super-Mare on Saturday while the top-two, Barnstaple and Chew Valley, meet at Pottington Road.
There was frustration for Paignton in the Western West Division and Torquay Athletic in the Devon Division.
Their games against Wiveliscombe (H) and Exeter Saracens (A) respectively fell victim to the weather.
It cost the Tics top spot, as Devonport Services 2nds moved above them with a 24-20 win at North Tawton, although Torquay have a game in hand.
In Regional Two, Newton Abbot scored 47 points against promotion-chasing Topsham at Rackerhayes. The only problem was that Topsham scored 88 in reply.
Teignmouth, who host leaders Sidmouth this weekend, were pipped 21-18 at North Petherton.

Dartmouth are having a season to remember in the Counties Three South East Division. Their 46-12 win at Plymstock Albion Oaks 2nd XV kept up their perfect record – P12 W12 – and it took them seven points clear of Tamar Saracens.
Brixham 2nd XV are third, but they missed a chance to close on Tamar when they lost 38-5 at Salcombe.
Other results: Cos Three SW – Old Technicians 21 Paignton 2nds 27, PAO 2nds 12 Dartmouth 46, Salcombe 38 Brixham 2nds 5, Torquay Athletic 2nds 67 Totnes 17; NE – Teignmouth 2nds 10 Sidmouth 2nds 10.
This Saturday’s local league fixtures include: Reg One – Weston-super-Mare v Brixham; Reg Two – Truro v Newton Abbot, Teignmouth v Sidmouth; Cos One WW – Tavistock v Paignton; Cos Two Devon – Torquay Athletic v Honiton; Cos Three SW – Brixham II v Torquay Athletic II, Dartmouth v Old Technicians, Paignton II v Tavistock II, Totnes v PAO II; NE – New Cross v Exeter Athletic, Newton Abbot II v Okehampton II, Teignmouth II v Torrington.