Derby day success for Brixham Rugby

All is still to play for in the Regional 1 South West division of the Tribute rugby leagues and Brixham kept up their hopes of chasing down the leaders with a Devon derby win over Ivybridge.

The Fishermen were dominant from the start at Astley Park, racing into a 20-0 lead at half-time. Ivybridge rallied after the break but Brixham always had enough in the tank, and finished the game as 40-12 winners.

Brixham sit fourth in the table and just eight points behind leaders Devonport Services, who strolled to a 69-19 victory at lowly Weston-super-Mare. Barnstaple Chiefs remain second after their 26-8 win over Launceston and Chew Valley, in third, beat Exmouth 21-10.

There was more derby day delight for the Brixham Crusaders, who defeated Paignton 2nds 24-15. It was a big game in the Counties 3 Tribute Devon South & West Division, with Brixham third and Paignton fourth, although the top two of Dartmouth and Tamar Saracens have a healthy lead on the Crusaders.

In the Counties 1 Tribute Western West, Paignton remain in the picture for a title push after a powerful 57-17 win at Falmouth.

First-half tries from Henry Hoare, Harry Davies, Jamie Mitchelmore and Alex Pozniak, plus two conversions from Brad McKee, put the Cherries in complete control at 29-10, and they did not relent after the break.

The tries continued to be shared around, with Elliot Browse, Jamie Mitchelmore, Franco Van Rooyen and Dewald Stoop all touching down in the second period. Brad McKee slotted all the conversions for Paignton, who sit third in the table, level on points with Tiverton and just four behind Plymstock Albion Oaks.

Torquay Colts enjoyed a battling 10-5 win over their Paignton counterparts but it was a tough weekend for the senior Tics.

Torquay welcomed league leaders Barnstaple 2nds in the Tribute Counties 2 Division and the game was very much in the balance at half-time, Tics trailing 9-12. After the break, Torquay continued to battle gamely but Barum pulled away to win 15-22. Torquay 2nds slumped to a heavy loss at Dartmouth.

Most of local rugby takes a break this weekend before heading into the final couple of months of a tough season, with Brixham, Paignton and Torquay all in the mix.