Chiefs of Biddy and Barum beaten

Bideford's first away game at Falmouth ended in big disappointment, losing 23-21 in a titanic game of rugby.

Falmouth scored on 20 minutes with the conversion to go 7-0 up but Bideford hit back through Pete Bowes and Joe Faukner’s conversion, levelling the scores after a half-hour. Falmouth responded with another converted try to lead again at the break.

A penalty stretched the home lead but the Chiefs fought back in impressive fashion, Richard Weston diving over. Faulkner added the conversion. Momentum swung back in favour of the Cornish hosts, as they notched two more penalties.

Bideford mounted one last push for victory, Fraser Priest dotting down three minutes from time. Faulkner again added the conversion but the Chiefs fell two points short. 

“The game was there to be won and we had plenty of opportunities to win the game,” said Bideford manager Bradley Goaman.

“Giving away too many dumb penalties to the hosts kept them in the game and it cost us. We weren't as clinical as we wanted to be.

“There were four debutants for us, three of them were Colts last year, and new signing Nick Dawkins, who had a confident game at 10. Nick Bone was man of the match with Sam Griffin catching the eye at 8.”

Bideford welcome Kingsbridge next week. Back on home turf, Ilfracombe edged past Bideford Quins, 15-13, in a terrific game.

Barnstaple Chiefs travelled to in-form Chew Valley and, despite a valiant effort, went down to a 35-19 defeat.

Sam Roberts scored the try for Barum and Jacob Murphy added four penalties but the home side were too strong on the day.

Barnstaple Athletic turned on the style to defeat South Molton 33-0 but the Colts lost at home to Sidmouth.

The tries for Athletic were scored by Dylan Kingdon, Joe Messenger, Scott Incledon, Luke Knight, Josh Hill, while Cameron Johnson did the damage with the boot.