Brixham edge Barum in Devon rugby thriller

It was billed as a potential classic in the Devon rugby calendar and credit to the players of Barnstaple and Brixham for delivering a thrilling match.

The prize on offer was to keep pace with leaders Exmouth in the Regional 1 Tribute SW Division and Barum drew first blood with a try from Viliame Kotobalavu, converted by Tyler Gordon-Oke.

The Fishermen responded with a Mitch Pinkus penalty but then had to deal with successive yellow cards. Barnstaple decided to offer some Christmas relief for the visitors by also seeing their numbers briefly reduced to 13 due to ill discipline.

Amid the mayhem, Brixham grabbed the lead with a Pinkus try but a converted score from Albert Stretch made it 14-10 to the hosts at half-time. Gordon-Oke extended the lead to 17-10 with a penalty.

Brixham hit back with a try from Louis Drennan but the missed extras meant Barum held a slender lead. That changed when the Fishermen slotted a penalty to lead 17-18 and that’s how the score remained in a dramatic finale.

Brixham host mid-table St Austell on Saturday, while Barum will hope for a response at bottom club Chew Valley.

It was a weekend of wins for Paignton Rugby Club, rounded off by the Ladies emerging victorious from a tight game at Exeter Saracens Ladies. Jordan Crook (2) and debutant Jess Mudge scored the tries in a 12-18 success.

In the local derby, Paignton 2nds edged past Torquay 2nds with a 26-34 victory and the Cherries’ first-team won 14-29 on the road at Redruth, Jordan Hodge. Dewald Stoop, Josh Gillard, Harry Ward and Martin Bird scoring the tries.

Torquay Athletic delivered another polished display to maintain their lead at the top of the table, overpowering South Molton with a 0-47 scoreline in North Devon.