Barnstaple promotion hopes boosted
BARNSTAPLE gave their play-off hopes a lift as the South West Premier reaches its conclusion with a victory over fellow top-half side Exeter University.
Second place Barnstaple went behind early on through a third minute Ben Phillips try by the Students. However, the play-off hopefuls took the lead just four minutes later with Matt Phillips running over and Jake Murphy converting.
Murphy then scored and converted his own try after 10 minutes before Will Topps ran over a third score with just 15 minutes gone to make it 21-5.
However, a Luke Mehson brace for Exeter drew his side within four points before a further try put them ahead.
Tom Clarke took back the lead for Barnstaple to give them a 28-22 lead. However, the Students responded again with Carl Morgan and Matt Johnston running over.
James Bath pulled Barnstaple back to a single point before a penalty try gave Barnstaple a 42-36 win.
Billy Pinkus scored a hat-trick as Ivybridge continued their push for the play-offs with a 38-7 victory over Newton Abbot.
Leaders Bournemouth remain rampaging towards the title after taking a 34-10 victory over Drybrook.
The leaders were ahead within the opening minute through Adam Davies before Freddie Gleadowe scored a second five minutes later.
Drybrook responded with a try of their own before a penalty brought them back before a Lions penalty gave the leaders a 17-10 lead at half-time.
Grant Hancox kicked another penalty after the break to keep the board ticking over before Karim Lynch ran over followed by Sam Hardcastle to seal the win. Cleve took a vital victory in their battle to beat relegation by seeing off follow bottom-half side Bracknell 17-10. A battling second half display by Camborne saw them run over 24 points as they ran out a 38-27 winners over Brixham.
A Dave Bargent brace helped Exmouth to a 31-20 victory over Old Patesians with Ben Hawley and Charlie Tribble adding further scores. Finally there was nothing to separate
Weston-super-Mare and Maidenhead who played out a 27-27 draw.