Brixham hold slight edge in rugby quarter-final

First of all, congratulations and thank-you to everyone at the rugby clubs of Brixham and Barnstaple for delivering a season that will live long in the memory.

After an epic scrap for the league title and promotion to the National League Two, which included a 17-17 draw in September and a 17-18 win for Brixham just before Christmas, Barnstaple were the side to eventually edge clear for the top spot.

Not content with serving up a sensational title race, the two clubs have now resumed hostilities in the quarter-final of the Papa Johns Community Cup, and the first leg at Astley Park was a genuine classic.

In front of a raucous rugby crowd determined to squeeze every last minute of drama from their game before the summer break, Barnstaple made the first impression with a slick move finished off by Connor Swan and converted by Jake Murphy.

The Fishermen responded to the early setback with a tidy 50-22 kick but Barum cleared their lines, and promptly increased the lead, intercepting a loose pass to score under the posts.

A nasty knew injury for Nathan Reeves merely darkened the home mood before the Astley Park crowd finally had something to cheer, Tommie Drennan diving over in the corner. Back came Barum through Brandon Moore to lead 5-19, a colossal margin given the closeness of these two sides in previous encounters.

Brixham responded again with an attacking lineout and Andre Simonetti completed a slick phase of play to reduce the arrears. A breathless first period then saw Connor Doneathy score under the posts and the successful conversion made it 19-19 at half-time.

All level, no surprise there!

The Fishermen resumed with all cylinders on fire, Tommie Drennan bagging his second try after a spell of sustained pressure, Mitch Pinkus adding the extras. Brixham continued their attacking momentum and suddenly had a decent cushion with a try from Matt Crosscombe.

Barnstaple, of course, had a reply, Bertie Stretch touching down for an unconverted try to make it 33-24 to the hosts, and the deficit was soon reduced to just two points, Jonny Carter crossing the whitewash and Murphy adding the conversion.

A brilliant game swung back in favour of Brixham, as Joel Ashworth scored in the corner, 40-31 heading into the final ten minutes. Things got even better for the Fishermen when Kai Kidd notched another try in the corner.

There was, however, one final twist that could prove crucial heading into the second leg at Pottington Road next weekend, as a late penalty try reduced the scores to 47-38.

Brixham hold a nine-point advantage for a place in the last four but a long way to go in this incredible rivalry.