Bideford fight back for derby win

BIDEFORD Nomads came back from 20-5 down at half time to beat Ilfracombe 31-20. It was the Nomads second Merit Table win on the bounce and proof they have turned the corner after a long loosing streak. The Nomads' pack kept them in the contest with battli

BIDEFORD Nomads came back from 20-5 down at half time to beat Ilfracombe 31-20.It was the Nomads second Merit Table win on the bounce and proof they have turned the corner after a long loosing streak.The Nomads' pack kept them in the contest with battling performances from Chris Walter and Geb Norris. Matt Cornish scored their only try in the first half.Fresh legs in the second period brought the game back to Bideford.Phil Crouch stormed over for a try, followed by Tom Massie with Peter McMillan adding the two points.With 10 minutes remaining Nomads were still three points adrift before replacement Matt Glover and Richard Norman took the hosts into an unassailable lead. McMillan converted both.Prop Austin Galt took the Man of the Match award. Strong performances from Stuart Arnett-Clark and Richard Squire added to an impressive display of never-say-die rugby.BARNSTAPLE, Bideford and Ilfracombe had no first team games over the weekend.Torrington were due to play Plymstock in the Devon Junior Cup, but were handed a walkover as the opposition had team-raising problems.South Molton had an unexpected day off on Saturday when opponents Topsham cried off. Molton were in action on Sunday though when they met Exeter Saracens in the Devon Junior Cup.Sarries won 26-19, but only after a struggle and were glad of a late penalty for making the game safe.Simon Murch scored two tries for South Molton, Mark Nott bagged a third and Adam Crispin kicked a couple of conversions.BARNSTAPLE get back to South West One business on Saturday when they entertain Coney Hill.Bideford make the long trip to Falmouth in the Cornwall & Devon Division.There's a North Devon derby at South Molton, where Torrington are the visitors.Ilfracombe are on the road to Dartmouth in Devon Two.Torringtonscore 80TORRINGTON U16s hit form against Bideford, running out 80-0 winners. Right from the start Torrie were in Bideford's faces, and their forwards could not compete. The few mistakes Torrie made gave Bideford a touch of the ball, but the pack quickly got it back.The many try scorers were led by Cory Hynd with four, Tom Gooch (2), Charlie Banfield, James Mill, Jack Andrew, Ross Bailey, Charlie Bazell, George Ward and Nick Evans (2). Evans also kicked five conversions.