Action in the mud in the Barnstaple versus Bideford Boxing Day derby. (Pic www.platinumimages.uk.com)

TOBY Williamson helped himself to a couple of tries as Barnstaple defeated Bideford 38-0 in the Boxing Day derby at Pottington Road.

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Bideford gave up home advantage as their ground was under water in places, but will get a share of the gate money generated by a crowd of around 2,000.

Barnstaple were quickly ahead thanks Williamson, who got another before half-time. Winston James bagged one as well before the break.

Mike Sumner and Gary Turner grabbed a try each from the back row in the second half with Luke Berry taking the rest of the points in kicks.

Play ended five minutes early after Bideford centre Andy Loosemore suffered a cut head and needed to be stitched up.

Barnstaple have had some runaway wins over Bideford in recent seasons, but director of rugby Kevin Squire said this wasn’t one of them.

“Bideford never looked like scoring a try, but we never truly broke them down either,” said Squire.

“They defended quite well against us and when they tried to slow the ball down by flopping all over it, the referee dealt with them. It was a contest – which everyone had come to see – and I was happy to come away with five tries for, none against and a clean sheet.”

Barnstaple return to the fray in National Three South West Three this Saturday with a home game against lowly Amersham.

Bideford are on the road in the Western Counties Division, where their promotion challenge takes them to Devonport Services.

Torrington have no game in Devon One but are due to host North Tawton in a friendly.

South Molton hope to play a friendly game away to Bideford Quins, pitch conditions permitting.

Ilfracombe have no scheduled game this weekend.