Barum batter Launceston in statement performance

Barnstaple RFC delivered a scintillating display of attacking rugby to sweep past title rivals Launceston with a 40-7 victory at Pottington Road.

Heading into the final two months of an exhilarating campaign in the Regional 1 Tribute SW Division, Barum knew a win was essential to keep pace with leaders Brixham, and there was also the added incentive of opening a bigger cushion on Launceston in fourth.

Bertie Stretch clearly read the memo, dotting down the opening try in a swift start for the home side, and Callum Morgan extended the lead to 12-0 before the Cornish visitors got there only score of the afternoon.

James Fraser made it 19-7 to Barum and the game was pretty much done when Morgan crossed for his second try, Tyler Gordon-Oke adding the extras in another display of solid kicking from the tee.

Man of the match Matt Gohl was next to score and Barum completed a superb display with a converted try from Cameron Grizzle-Johnson. Next up is a trip to Lydney this weekend.

The woes for Bideford Chiefs continued with a heavy defeat against a very good Kingsbridge side, going down 14 – 58 to remain bottom of the Counties 1 Tribute Western West Division.

Kingsbridge took an early lead after five minutes and it was one-way traffic for most of the first half. The second period did improve slightly for the home team, with Dec Smale and Mark Schofield scoring and Jordan Taylor kicking a conversion for the Bideford fans to cheer.

“The energy in the team was not there first half and they blew us away,” said Bideford team manager Brad Goaman.

“Defensively, we were poor, there's things we can do better in attack and midfield. There were times in the second half we looked better, but fair play to the visitors, they were well organised and hard to break down.

“Dec Smale and Lewis Bloodworth both had decent games, but our league position is not great and the players were desperate to climb the table.”

The Chiefs face a huge challenge this weekend, when they travel to leaders Pirates Amateurs in Penzance.

South Molton played some fine attacking rugby and were unlucky to fall the wrong side of a 34-29 defeat at Dartmouth in Counties 2 Devon SW, and it’s another tough outing next week, when they travel to third-placed Devonport Services 2nds.