Joy and despair for North Devon rugby clubs

It was a weekend of huge contrasting fortunes for the Chiefs of Bideford and Barnstaple.

On the far happier side of the spectrum, it was a superb day for Bideford, who returned from the relatively short trip to Bude with a battling 14-15 victory.

This was only their second win Counties 1 Tribute Western West Division and more evidence of a winter upturn in form for the Chiefs, who are now just three points behind second-from-bottom Tavistock.

Bideford welcome Penryn this weekend and will fancy their chances against a side in mid-table.

It was, however, a minor disaster for Barnstaple Chiefs, who suffered a shock 43-40 defeat at lowly Ivybridge to slip down to second in the Regional 1 Tribute SW Division. Brixham took full advantage of the Barum upset to move top with an excellent 27-32 victory at fellow title-rivals Exmouth.

The Ivies grabbed an early score to set the tone for the afternoon and, although Barum replied through Cameron Johnson, the home side crossed again to lead 10-7 in a breathless start to the game.

Ivybridge continued their momentum and even a second try from Johnson, converted by Tyler Gordon-Oke, could not prevent the hosts from building a 23-14 lead. Ryan Lee crossed to reduce the arrears and the hat-trick score from Johnson pushed Barum into a narrow half-time advantage, 24-26.

If Barnstaple had hoped the Ivybridge train was running out of steam, that thought soon evaporated with two more converted tries from the inspired home side.

Back came Barum, James Fraser and Bertie Stretch both dived over for converted tries to give the visitors a narrow 38-40 lead, but there was one more painful twist to a thrilling game, as the Ivies found the decisive final try for a three-point victory.

Despite this shock, Barum will plan to make it an unwanted blip in their season, and they remain just two points behind Brixham. Next up are successive home ties with Marlborough and third-placed Launceston.

In the Devon Merit NE Division, Torrington fought valiantly before going down to a 26-52 defeat at home to Exeter Saracens 2nds, while Ilfracombe lost 29-18 at Tiverton. Max Davies (2) and Vincent De Lange scored the Combe tries.

Ilfracombe host Barnstaple Buccaneers this weekend, who crushed South Molton 2nds 0-34. There was an amazing 27-34 win for South Molton 1sts at OPM, just their third victory of the campaign.