Barnstaple Chiefs are off to Twickenham!

Barnstaple Chiefs have booked themselves a memorable day at Twickenham after winning through to the final of the Papa Johns Community Cup following an emphatic victory over Havant at Pottington Road on Saturday.

Barum ran out comfortable winners, cruising to a 50-14 win in front of a packed crowd with a scintillating performance that proved too much for their opponents.

Connor Swan got the scoreboard ticking over with a try early on, converted by Tyler Gordon-Oke to give the home side the crucial opening score and a 7-0 lead.

Then Will Topps went over and Gordon-Oke added the extras to make it 14-0.

Early nerves were calmed as the Chiefs established dominance and soon after the home side’s fans were celebrating again as Jordan Petherbridge went over for a try. The ever reliable Gordon-Oke added the conversion.

Havant were struggling to stem the irresistible red tide and soon after Barum extended their lead to 28-0 when Jake Murphy crossed the whitewash and Gordon-Oke again kicked safely to add the extras.

A Twickenham final was looking increasingly likely when the Chiefs further extended their lead a short time later, Brandon Moore notching the try and Gordon-Oke converting to make the scoreline 35-0.

The visitors had no answer to Barum’s incessant attacking play but they did get their first points on the board with a try to reduce the arrears slightly, leaving the score 35-7.

But Barnstaple were in no mood to allow Havant back into the argument and it was not long before they penetrated the visitors’ defence yet again and crossed the line to make it 42-7, Cameron Grizzle-Johnson taking the plaudits for his try and yet again the ever reliable Gordon-Oke was on hand to kick the conversion with unerring accuracy.

Havant did not throw in the towel, much to their credit, and they secured a converted try soon afterwards to peg back the home side and make the score 47-14.

But the day belonged to the Chiefs and with their Twickenham outing secured, they reached a sensational half-century of points when Jake Murphy kicked a penalty to leave the final scoreline 50-14.

Cue the celebrations.

Pottington Road erupted in scenes of jubilation as Barum celebrated their semi-final success – a thoroughly deserved victory securing their place in the final at the home of English rugby and providing the Barum faithful with a day out to remember.

Matt Gohl was named man of the match and he received his bottle of champagne from Exeter Chiefs’ Danny Southworth.