Barnstaple Rugby Club climb to third in National League 2 West

The fine start to life in the National League 2 West season continued for Barnstaple Chiefs with an enthralling 41-34 Taunton, lifting them to third in the table with three wins from their opening four games.

The Chiefs bagged their opening try through Connor Swann on 10 minutes, Henry Sellick adding the extras, but the home side then raced into a 19-7 lead. Bertie Stretch reduced the deficit and further scores from Dom Robson and Jacob Murphy gave Barum a 26-22 lead at half-time.

The entertainment continued after the break, Taunton racing in two more tries for an eight-point lead but the Chiefs again had an ideal response, taking control of the game in the latter stages with scores from Swann, Stretch and replacement Ben Parsons.

It is back to Pottington Road this weekend for the visit of Hinckley, who sit in the bottom half of the table after three defeats from their opening four games. Barnstaple Athletic demolished Cullompton 43-0 but there was a 43-17 local loss for the Buccaneers at home to South Molton 2nds.

Ilfracombe took the North Devon bragging rights in the Devon Merit 1 NE Division, turning on the style for a 43-5 victory at Torrington. The tries were scored by Jack Gammon, Lee Rulton, Sam Taylor, Connor Irwin, Ellis Rees, Oni Vasu and Alipate Biaudamu.

Taking a break from league action, Bideford Chiefs travelled to Bude for the first leg of a new competition called the Harpers Cup, a two-legged contest billed as a celebration of community, camaraderie, and a deep-rooted love of rugby in North Devon/North Cornwall.

Born out of the strong ties between Massey Harpers, a company based in Holsworthy, and the local rugby scene, the cup reflects years of friendship, rivalry, and mutual respect. Bude won the first leg 17-10, with the return fixture at Bideford in February.