Barum one game from double glory

After all the rough, tumble, skill and speed of a rugby season, Barnstaple RFC are just one game away from sealing a famous double-winning campaign.

After producing an outstanding display of flowing rugby to dismantle Sidmouth in the Devon Senior Cup Final, Barum travelled to Launceston knowing that only a win would keep them ahead of Brixham in an excruciatingly tight race for the Regional 1 Tribute SW League crown.

Barum have spent much of the season chasing down the Fishermen, but when Brixham slipped up in their recent league fixture with Sidmouth, the door opened for Barnstaple, and they are barging through with uncompromising determination.

Launceston away is a traditionally difficult fixture but even the renowned determination of their Cornish hosts posed little problem for the men in red, as they overpowered the home side in every department.

Despite conceding an early try, Barnstaple went on a rampage. Connor Swan sored twice and Callum Morgan also crossed the line, with conversions added by Tyler Gordon-Oke in his final game before a sabbatical in Australia.

Brandon Moore then sealed the bonus point and Gordon-Oke, one of the key contributors in this magical season, slotted the kick with typical composure. Launceston replied with a couple of tries but that just clicked Barum into a new gear.

Bertie Stretch scored twice, Morgan added to his tally, Alex Penny crossed the whitewash and there was even a farewell try from Gordon-Oke to leave Barum comprehensive 66-26 winners.

It all now comes down to the final day at Pottington Road on Saturday, April 5, when Barnstaple host fourth-placed St Austell. A win will guarantee Barum the title!

In the Counties 1 Western West Division, Barnstaple Athletic slipped to only their fourth defeat of the season, going down 29-31 in an entertaining home clash with Penryn.

Harvey Rostock had a stellar game for the Athletic, bagging a hat-trick of tries alongside his kicking duties, with Alex MacMillan also dotting down, but this defeat almost certainly means Barum will end the season in third behind Paignton and leaders Pirates Amateurs.

A gloomy campaign for Bideford RFC took another unwanted twist on the weekend, as they were unable to trouble the scorers in a 43-0 loss at Kingsbridge. The Chiefs, rooted to the bottom of the table, finish off with a visit from Paignton on April 5.

South Molton will end up in a comfortable mid-table position in the Counties Devon 2 Division, rounding off their home campaign with a fine 27-19 victory over Dartmouth, although it has been a tougher campaign for the 2nds near the foot of the Devon Merit Table NE.

Barnstaple Buccaneers are just two points behind leaders Crediton 3rds in this division as we head into the final weeks of a long season.

Ilfracombe are also riding high, and they took North Devon plaudits with a powerful 59-7 win at home to Torrington on the weekend, a special result for club legend Jay O’Beirne, who is hanging up the boots after 25 incredible years of service.