Dream starts for the rugby Chiefs of Barnstaple and Bideford

Barnstaple Chiefs have enjoyed an outstanding start to the National League 2 West season, a success mirrored a short drive along the road at Bideford Chiefs.

Stepping into the unknown after a thrilling promotion last season, Barum must be thrilled with their return of four wins from the opening five league games, the latest of which stemmed from a blistering second-half display to beat Hinckley 52-29 at Pottington Road.

The Chiefs are sitting second in the table, four points behind unbeaten Camborne, and another enticing home game against fifth-placed Cinderford this weekend.

The Hinckley victory, however, was definitely not all plain sailing, as the home crowd of almost 500 supporters had to endure a first-half display that saw some patchy play from the Chiefs.

On the positive side, a brace of tries from Arthur Marks sandwiched a Johnny Carter score to give Barum a 17-5 lead on the half-hour but the final ten minutes before the interval saw Hinckley punch holes in the home defence to add three more tries of their own and lead 22-7.

Carter restored parity on 52 minutes and then Henry Sellick nudged the Chiefs in front and converted his own try, setting the platform for Barum to run riot with further scores from Brendan Darley and a Brandon Moore double.

Despite the howling wind, Sellick was impeccable with the boot in the second half, as Hinckley limped to a late consolation for a final score 52-29.

Unfortunately, there were defeats for Barum’s other team, the Athletic going down 31-7 at Torquay and the Buccaneers battled bravely before succumbing to a 31-22 loss at Crediton 3rds.

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The fine form for Bideford Chiefs continued with a 58-12 away win at lvybridge. Bideford had a flying start with Mitch Harris scoring after five mins and Fred Palmer kicking the conversion.

The Chiefs dominated the first half, playing some free-flowing rugby in tricky conditions. Nick Bone, Fred Fishleigh, Will Bliss, Sam Olde, Dave Evans (2) and a second Mitch Harris, who also added three further conversions gave them an imposing 43-0 lead at half time.

Bideford eased off in the second period but still had scores from George Terry, Fred Fishleigh and Harris completing his hat-trick. To their credit, Ivybridge did score two tries and never gave up in a very one-sided game.

“We bossed first half territory and possession and it continued in the second half,” said Bideford manager Bradley Goaman. “We played some good stuff in the first half and they were getting ratty. Five points to us in very difficult conditions, so I’m very happy with that.

It is now 15 points from three games, a perfect start, but we have a big test this weekend against Topsham. Confidence is high and it is showing on the pitch. Mitch Harris was man of the match with three tries and Dec Smale also looked the part at number eight.”

The new league season is underway for Bideford Ladies and they had to work extremely hard before securing an excellent 15-10 victory at Topsham Tempest Ladies.

The win was even more impressive, given that Bideford made the trip with a number of first-team regulars unavailable. Despite the reshuffling, Bideford defended stoutly in a strong wind during the first quarter, eventually breaking the shackles for Hannah Daniels to notch the opening score.

The Bideford pack was outstanding throughout, overpowering their hosts in the scrum and Sophie Folland deservedly extended the lead.

Topsham fought back after the break and brought the scores level at 10-10 but Bideford had one more great play in the tank, Olivia Taylor pinning the hosts with a precise kick and Daniels won the game with her second try.