Bideford unclear if third from bottom is OK

BIDEFORD remain outside the bottom two in the Counties Western West division despite suffering a 24-7 home defeat at the hands of table-topping Tiverton.

Bideford won’t find out until the final round of matches have been played whether third-from-bottom will be enough to stave off the drop due to the cascade effect from divisions above. If they finish in the bottom two it could be curtains, although the vagaries of the cascade effect meant no one was relegated from the division last season!

As the current bottom two in South West Two – Chard and Burnham – won’t drop into the Counties Western West, it could be another no-relegation season. All will only become clear after the last match is played on April 6 against Bude, who seven points below Bideford with two games to do something about the seven points between the sides. Bude play a game in hand against Paignton this Saturday. If they lose they won’t be able to get out of the bottom two.

Bideford could finish fourth from bottom if they beat Bude and Wiveliscombe, the next team up, slip-up at home to Kingsbridge.

“When we go to Bude in our last game we really need to win,” said Bradley Goaman, the Bideford team manager. “The players’ application and determination to stay in this division is top drawer.”

Tiverton were unable to score a point in the first half hour of the game and only got on the board in the run-up to the break.

“Tiverton had two opportunities in the last 10 minutes and took them both to go 10-0 up,” said Goaman. “Until then we were well in the game.”

Goaman said it was a similar story in the second half with Tiverton making the best of limited chances.

“We had a few opportunities to score, but Tiverton’s defence was well organised,” said Goaman.

“Tiverton took the two opportunities they had. They are top of the table for a reason and will get promoted.”

Tries from Alex Pike and Mike Butt propelled Tiverton into the lead at half time. Jonny Fairclough and Ben Vickery were the second-half try scorers. Henry Sellick converted both. Bideford’s points came from a penalty try.

Alex Priest was Bideford’s man of match.

South Molton were 36-5 ahead against visiting North Tawton when deteriorating pitch conditions forced the referee to abandon the Devon One game.

Molton have a rearranged game away to Exeter Saracens this Saturday.