Triumphant Tics storming to the title

Torquay Athletic entered the new rugby season as strong favourites to win the Counties 2 Tribute Devon SW Division and they have delivered in sensational style over the opening 15 games.

The Tics have won every single league game, many of them by a significant margin, as demonstrated by a positive points difference of 656. With seven games remaining, Tics hold a 16-point lead over Honiton in second and it surely won’t be long before the title is confirmed.

The latest challenge was a visit from fourth-placed Exeter Saracens, who proved one of the trickier opponents in this dominant campaign, but they were eventually beaten 36-11 at the Rec.

Matt Butler crossed the whitewash twice and there were further scores from George Mills, Joel Armitage, Carl Turner and sponsors’ man of the match Josh Mackin. Mawgan Penrice added the extras with customary precision.

Mid-table Tamar Saracens are the visitors to the Rec on Saturday and then arguably the toughest test Torquay will face in the league this season, a trip to Honiton on February 1. On the junior side of the club, Torquay Colts won 14-27 at Topsham, with tries from Charlie Selby, Hudson Cooper-Thompson, Nathan Hallewell, Gabe Jesh and Rob Prince.

Brixham remain top of the Regional 1 Tribute SW Division after avoiding a potential banana-skin in a 68-19 trouncing of lowly Ivybridge, a result more impressive when taken into the context of the Ivies inflicting a shock defeat on title-chasing Barnstaple last weekend.

Tommie Drennan bagged the opening try, barging through straggling defenders to complete a flowing team move. Number two was all about the blistering pace of Mitch Pinkus, surging through the defensive line before a deft kick-and-collect score. Drennan then added his second with a close-range finish.

The Fishermen dominated the line-out all afternoon and JP Simonetti was the latest beneficiary, bustling over the line before quickly adding his second via a delicious flicked pass from Matt Crossecombe.

Try number six was the hat-trick score for Simonetti, as the Fishermen again stretched the Ivybridge defence with slick passing and he burst through a beleaguered defence. The rampage continued with Crossecombe’s burning pace too much for the visitors.

There was still time for Crossecombe to make it ten tries for Brixham with another accomplished finish from a fine team move. The Fishermen host mid-table Royal Wootton Bassett this weekend.

Astley Park, home of Brixham RFC, is hosting a special fixture on Wednesday, January 22, when Devon & Cornwall Police take on Gloucestershire Police, with a 7pm kick-off.

Paignton suffered a rare defeat, just their third of the season in the Counties 1 Tribute Western West Division, going down 19-33 at home to third-placed Barnstaple 2nds. The Cherries remain top of the table but now just four points clear of the Pirates Amateurs.

Sam Bastock (2), Reece Titheridge, George Palk and Callum Mitchell scored the tries for Paignton, who have a break this weekend and then travel to fifth-placed Wiveliscombe on February 1.