Curtain comes down on league rugby for 2023/24

Only points difference prevented Paignton RFC from being crowned champions after a superb campaign in the Counties 1 Tribute Western West Division.

In a thrilling climax to the season, Tiverton’s 52-10 victory over Penryn confirmed the title for the Mid-Devon club.

Paignton, who lost only four matches all season, finished things off with a tense 26-22 win over Plymstock Albion Oaks. Dewald Stoop (2), Harry Davies and Alex Pozniak scored the tries for the Cherries, who can be extremely proud of their performances this season. 

Torquay Athletic finished their 2023-24 Counties 2 Devon league campaign with a resounding 71-14 victory at already relegated Ivybridge 2nds, writes Andy Bennett.

First-half tries from Matt Allanson, Morgan Alcock, Ryan Hanauer and an opportunist try from George Helmore, saw the half-time score at the Cross-In-Hand, Ivybridge 7-28 Torquay Athletic. In the second half, the Tics really turned the screw with Allanson and Alcock both completing their hat-tricks.

Hanauer added his second and there were tries for flanker Ash Sharp, as well as evergreen skipper Jonny Brown. Lewis Crocker completed another good day with the boot, scoring eight from 11 conversions. 

The statistics make impressive reading for the Tics, who have amassed 960 points this year. 147 tries, 102 conversions and 11 penalties make the Recreation Ground side one of the most entertaining in the South-West. If Torquay continue this form into next season, surely a long-awaited promotion shouldn’t be far away.

The season moves on to the Devon Junior Cup. The semi-finals are played over two legs and, after topping the group, Tics face Withycombe. The first game is this Saturday at Withycombe’s Raleigh Park ground, with the second at the Rec on April 20.

The Torquay Extras ended the season with a defeat at home to Salcombe. Tries from Sam French, Nathan Tissot and James Baker, plus two conversions and a penalty from captain Joe Widdecombe, were not enough as Salcombe ran out 43-22 winners. 

It was the club’s first year having a second team in the Devon league structure and they have performed admirably, finishing the season in eighth place and taking some noticeable scalps along the way.

Most importantly though, the club has fulfilled every senior fixture this season; A far cry from three years ago when the club took 14 to Veor for a first-team fixture!

Brixham finished fourth in the Regional 1 SW Division after coming from behind to win 19-14 at St Austell in their final league outing. The Fishermen scored an incredible 120 tries in their 22 matches.

This Saturday, Brixham will have three teams competing in Devon County rugby semi-finals. The first-team travel to Exmouth for the first leg of the Devon Senior Cup, the Colts take on South Molton in the Colts Shield and the Crusaders will battle Crediton 2nds in the Devon Shield.