Rugby: Fishermen facing first key test of season

Another big crowd at Astley Park saw Brixham 1st XV earn a 29-19 bonus-point win over Ivybridge and set up the first key test of the season this Saturday.

The Fishermen, who stay third in the Tribute South West Regional One Division, travel to second-placed Chew Valley this Saturday, and they are assured of their usual noisy away support in north Somerset.

Camborne lead with 31pts, from Chew Valley 30 and Brixham 25.

An early defeat at lowly Okehampton is starting to look annoying for Brixham, but Adam Thomas' side will know exactly where they stand in a couple more weeks.

After the trip to Chew, it's Lydney at home and then leaders Camborne away on November 12.

In Regional Two SW, Teignmouth followed their welcome first win against Wadebridge Camels with another - they thumped bottom side Bridgwater and Albion 55-21 in Somerset.

Newton Abbot lost 26-35 at Wellington, but defeats to them and leaders Crediton recently shouldn't ring the alarm bells at Rackerhayes, and they have a home game against North Petherton to return to winning ways.

Paignton's long trip to Pirates Amateurs in Counties One Western West ended in a 43-10 defeat, and only Falmouth now keep the Cherries off the bottom of the table.

The 2nd XV mounted a spirited fightback against Old Technicians at Queen's Park, but fell just short at 21-22.

Torquay Athletic have a key home game against Withycombe coming up on Saturday after another defeat, 11-17 at Devonport Services 2nds, saw the Tics drop to fourth place in Counties Two Devon.

Withycombe inflicted a first defeat on leaders Tavistock (22-12) last weekend to go third.

In the Counties Three Devon West derby at Rackerhayes, Newton Abbot 2nds were too good for Totnes (54-5), while New Cross won 26-8 at Buckfastleigh Ramblers in Devon East.

This Saturday's league matches include: Regional One - Chew Valley v Brixham; Regional Two - Teignmouth v Chard, North Petherton v Newton Abbot; Counties One WW - Paignton v Wiveliscombe; Counties Two Devon - Torquay Athletic v Withycombe; Devon West - Newton Abbot II v Paignton II, Salcombe v Dartmouth, Tamar Saracens v Teignmouth II; Devon East - Crediton II v New Cross.