Barnstaple throwing down the gauntlet
BARNSTAPLE continued their challenge for the South West Premier title by becoming the main rivals to runaway leaders Bournemouth.
This weekend the chasers made it three wins on the bounce following a 20-18 victory over Camborne with the difference being one conversion.
In a hard-fought victory, Martinas Dromantas and Jake Murphy both crossed the whitewash for Barnstaple. Camborne responded with two tries of their own through Alex Ducker and Declan Matthews.
However, it was the kicking of Murphy which was decisive as he nailed two conversions and two penalties in comparison to the two penalties and one conversion by Rhodri McAtee.
Leaders Bournemouth are now eight points clear but were also run close this weekend by Brixham before triumphing 20-18.
Brixham, who were beaten by Barnstaple last weekend, put in another good performance and went ahead early on.
After Grant Hancox hit the post looking for a reply, Brixham extended their lead to eight points through a penalty.
With his third attempted kick, Hancox eventually pulled his side back to 8-3.
However, Brixham took a 15-3 lead into the break with a second try.
Hancox scored another penalty after the break before Mike Pope crossed the whitewash to narrow the deficit to 18-13 and a last-ditch try gave Bournemouth victory.
At the opposite end of the table Bracknell and Drybrook picked up vital victories in their bid to beat the drop.
Bracknell picked up their sixth league victory of the season with a 22-13 triumph over Westonsuper-Mare.
Vic Hardwick, Ian Burch and Gabe Hills all crossed the whitewash for Bracknell on their way to victory while Marcus Neil touched down in reply. Drybrook handed relegation rivals Newton Abbot a heavy blow by beating them 17-13 as they leapfrogged Abbot, leaving them second from bottom. Exmouth all but ended Ivybridge’s chances of promotion in a high scoring 43-32 victory. Elsewhere, Cleve ran out 41-0 winners over Old Patesians, while Exeter University were 28-12 victors over Maidenhead.