Brixham and Barum share thrilling Devon derby draw

In a pulsating Devon derby at Astley Park, Brixham and Barnstaple shared the rare rugby excitement of a draw.

On a weekend when Brixham Rugby Football Club was awarded a prestigious blue plaque by the Torbay Civic Society, commemorating a history that dates back to 1875, the players of today served up a classic.

Tommy Drennan was first to cross the line for the Fishermen, try converted by Joel Ashworth but Barum soon fought back to level the scores. Jordan Watson and extras from Ashworth restored the seven-point lead for Brixham.

An Ashworth penalty made it 17-7 but Barnstaple slotted a penalty of their own on the stroke of half-time. A tight second period saw only one more score and the converted try for the visitors ensured a 17-17 tie.

It was also a cracking weekend of rugby at Queens Park, where Paignton 1sts overpowered Redruth 2nds with a 54-15 victory, tries scored by Franco Van Rooyen (3), Josh Gillard, Dewald Stoop, Jack Linley-Shaw, Liam Cleaver and Olly Williams. Brad McKee added the extras.

Paignton Colts kept up the momentum with a 36-15 defeat of Cullompton. Try scorers were Harry Kirkup, Harry Clayton, Euan Worden, Maxim Cole, Nathan Jordan and Flynn Waye. Extras from the outstanding James Talbot.

A brace of tries for both El Dyke and Dani Small, plus a score for Pheobe Reed gave Paignton Ladies an excellent 27-12 triumph at Camborne Ladies.

Torquay Athletic produced a devastating display of attacking rugby to destroy South Molton 87-0 and move top of the Counties Two Devon League.

The Tics scored an incredible 13 tries, Lewis Crocker slotting 11 conversions, with the list crossing the whitewash including Joel Armitage (2), Ryan Hanauer (2), George Mills (2), Charlie Barnes, Carl Turner, Ben Sharples, Mawgan Penrice, Matt Allanson, Morgan Alcock and Billy Harker.