Barum breathing down on the league leaders

A dominant 19-40 victory for Barnstaple Chiefs at Matson has left Barum just two points behind leaders Exmouth in the Regional 1 Tribute SW Division, with Launceston and Brixham also in close proximity.

Barnstaple welcome Pottington Road on Saturday and will be strong favourites for another win against mid-table visitors. Moving further ahead, a December double at home to Launceston and Brixham will be a key test of the Chiefs’ credentials as title prospects.

While the Chiefs were winning on the road, Barnstaple Athletic overpowered Bideford 43-10 in a terrific North Devon derby. Athletic sit fourth in the Counties 1 Tribute Western West Division, while Bideford continue to seek their first league win at the foot of the table.

Bideford host Wiveliscombe on Saturday and another tough task against a side fifth. Bideford Ladies put up a brave performance before going down to a 19-10 defeat at Okehampton Women.

In the reverse North Devon derby, there was more joy for Barnstaple Buccaneers, and more pain for Bideford 2nds, as Barum ran out 7-22 winners. The Buccaneers are second in the Devon Merit NE table, two points behind Crediton, with the two meeting in East Devon this weekend.

Bideford 2nds, meanwhile, host Exeter Engineers 2nds on Saturday, when a return to winning ways will keep them in touch with the top three.

Nick Evans was the Torrington man of the match in another terrific North Devon derby that eventually went the way of Ilfracombe, winning 20-34 on the road. Sam Taylor, Ellis Rees, Jack Marriott, Radford Chugg and Adam Nalla scored the Combe tries.

Ilfracombe are third in the league, just a point behind Barnstaple Buccaneers, and host Topsham 3rds on Saturday. Torrington remain in seventh and play their next game in a fortnight, away to Exmouth 3rds.

South Molton 2nds are also in this division but suffered a heavy loss at Exeter Saracens 2nds, while the first XV were edged out 33-13 at Tamar Saracens. It is a huge game for South Molton this weekend, when they host Exmouth 2nds, the side one place above them at the bottom.