Brixham maintain title hopes with battling victory over Launceston

Incredibly, there are just five games remaining in the Regional 1 Tribute SW Division and Brixham still have outside hopes of catching leaders Devonport Services and Topsham.

The Fishermen have a Devon Senior Cup Final to enjoy against Exmouth on March 14 at Astley Park, but it was all about league points when mid-table Launceston visited on Saturday, and Brixham had to recover from conceding an early try.

After getting back on terms with Andre Simonetti finishing off a team move, Kai Kidd dived over following a lovely passing exchange for a score that gave the Fisherman some temporary breathing space, but the Cornishmen notched again to reduce the scores to 14-12 on 20 minutes.

A penalty opened the gap a little wider for Brixham, quickly wiped out by a penalty for Launceston, but the final word of the half fell to Joel Ashworth, picking up a fabulous pass from his number ten to breach a gap in the defence.

The visitors responded again after the break, moving to within four points, but a score from Connor Doneathy proved crucial, scoring out wide after another pacy line break from the home backs.

A penalty on 68 minutes stretched the lead to 12 points and the Fishermen survived a late flurry from Launceston, who did score again with a powerful scrum and drive, but the 32-27 win for Brixham keeps them in the hunt. The Fishermen next travel to Marlborough on February 28

Paignton also have title aspirations after a stoic 24-20 triumph at lowly Saltash, but they will need leaders Wiveliscombe to slip up over the closing weeks of the campaign.

It was a far from perfect performance by the Cherries, who had to dig into their reserves of quality and energy, eventually securing the win with tries from Happy Makate, Tom Osborn and Dewald Stoop, while Brad McKee carried out kicking duties.

Torquay Athletic should have enough in the tank to avoid a late relegation scrap in the same division but they had no answer to a powerful Truro display, going down 35-14 in the Cornish capital.