Barns lead the chasing pack in title race
South West Premier
BARNSTAPLE pulled clear in the chase behind South West Premier leaders Bournemouth as both sides took victories with just 10 games remaining.
With back-to-back victories Barnstaple are 12 points behind the runaway leaders but pulled clear of Ivybridge, who fell to another defeat.
This weekend Barnstaple came from behind to take a 22-17 over fellow tophalf side Brixham.
Harrison Cully put Brixham ahead early on before Will Topps and Luke Berry gave Barnstaple a 12-7 lead.
Cully went over again before the break to give Brixham a 14-12 advantage.
A Jake Murphy penalty put his side back ahead before Danny Southworth sealed the points despite a late Mitch Pinkus penalty.
Bournemouth continued their march towards the title by running over seven tries during a 47-17 victory over Bracknell. Joe Rees scored a brace of tries for the leaders while Jack Hennings, Tom Napier, Dan Stewart, Alex Bennett and Sam Hardcastle also crossed the whitewash.
In response Vic Hardwick, Ian Burch and Simon Bayliss all scored for a comfortably beaten Bracknell side. Ivybridge dropped to fourth after Exeter University beat them 38-18 at their own ground.
Despite George Wilson and William Lamont running over tries for the hosts they were well beaten.
Maidenhead were another side who took advantage of that defeat with a 40-27 victory over Drybrook, thanks in part to a brace from Andy Berry.
However, it was Drybrook who went ahead from an early penalty before Ryan Long crossed the whitewash for the opening time.
Berry then used his pace to run clear for a second try before Dylan Baptista went over to give his side a 19-6 half-time lead.
Hartley Fowler secured the bonus point shortly after the break before Berry went over for his second try of the game before Olly Foxley completed their scoring.
Newton Abbot took their third win of the season as they beat Cleve 46-17 with Kyle Browne, Jake Monnington and Jack Bond scoring
Richard Hance and George Angell crossed for basement side Old Patesians as they ran out 23-22 winners over Cambourne.