Paignton break duck to give Bird good memories of 250th game

RUGBU ROUND-UP

Paignton skipper Martin Bird was able to celebrate his 250th first XV appearance for the Cherries with the team’s first win of the season in Western Counties West.

The Cherries had two defeats and a draw in the locker before going into last Saturday’s Queens Park date with Wadebridge.

First-half tries from wing Mike Fletcher and hooker Chris Hallett, plus a Dave Siddall conversion, gave Paignton a 12-0 win to get off the mark.

There was no score at all in an increasingly murky second half as wind and rain took their toll and players, spectators and the ground alike.

Centres Sam Nelson-Smith and debutant Harry Law both stood out for Paignton.

Victory put five points between the Cherries and the bottom two going into this Saturday’s away game at Wellington.

Bird missed 10 minutes of the win over Wadebridge while sitting in the sin bin, but former Paignton coach Nick Bodnar said it was a rare blemish on an otherwise exemplary copybook.

“To play 250 games for any club in the modern era is an achievement that deserves to be celebrated,” said Bodnar.

“When I was Martin’s age and league rugby hadn’t really caught on, you played 45-50 games a season. Now you have to stay fit all season to play 28-30.

“Martin has been tremendously loyal to Paignton ever since he was in the colts team I coached more than 10 years ago. He has been lucky with injuries – a few ankle problems but nothing too serious – and is now in his fourth season as captain.”

Brother Lee used to play along side Bird in the Paignton pack before a back injury curtailed his career.

Dad Colin was a regular feature in Paignton back rows during his own playing career, which ended in the early 1990s.

Kingsbridge remain winless

Andre Simonetti in action for Brixham on Saturday in the Western Counties basement after losing 14-10 to visiting Wellington.

Kingsbridge went ahead early with a Ben Newman penalty, and stayed there until the half hour.

Kingsbridge got a try back after the break from Joe Carey that Newman converted.

Carey, a former Oxfordshire youth age-group player, has recently moved to the South Hams and joined his local club.

Kingsbridge are away to fellow strugglers Bideford this Saturday.

Torquay Athletic can move into the Cornwall & Devon division top three if they defeat Penryn on the Recreation Ground this Saturday.

The Tics stayed fourth after winning 17-5 at Liskeard-Looe last time out, but are only three points behind Penryn in second.

A win over the Borough – officially the oldest club in Cornwall – will move Torquay into the top three. If Withycombe beat second-placed Honiton, Torquay could move up two places.

Liskeard-Looe were difficult to break down and held Torquay to a single try by Jonny Brown in the first half.

Tries for Jon Woodhead – who impressed for the full 80 minutes – and Tom Whitford widened the lead. Player-coach James Wood, who limped off with a hamstring strain, said Torquay outgunned Liskeard-Looe up front.

“One of the tries was from a maul we drove over from their 22-metre line,” said Wood.

Woodhead got a mention in dispatches, but man of the match went to full-back Tom Drake for a secure performance.

Devon One rugby returns this Saturday after a rest weekend.

Buckfastleigh Ramblers are at home to Exeter Athletic, who are now coached by former Bucks’ coach Mark Beavis.

Totnes are at home to early front runners Exeter Saracens. New Cross make the long trip to winless Torrington.

Dartmouth, who defeated Kingsbridge’s second XV 15-5 in a friendly last Saturday, have no league game this week.

In a division of 11 teams it is their turn to be the odd ones out.

Andy Styles