Barnstaple Colts step up for a National League contest at Cinderford

The final result did not go as planned for Barnstaple Chiefs, going down to a 41-24 defeat at Cinderford, but the bigger picture was three former Colts featuring in a National League fixture.

Jack Barrow, Noah Bazley and Oscar Lambert all completed the pathway from junior rugby to a senior match in the national pyramid, and a huge reward for the long-term development planning at Pottington Road.

The Chiefs made an excellent start in Gloucestershire, racing into a 12-0 lead with tries from Cameron Johnson and Jacob Murphy inside the opening seven minutes, but the home response was rapid and ruthless.

Cinderford bagged three scores before the midway point in a breathless first half. Jordan Petherbridge crossed to bring the scores level at 19-19. The hosts scored again immediately after the restart, Ben Parsons with the Barum reply, but Cinderford ran away with the win by scoring three more tries in the second period.    

South Molton travelled to Salisbury in the Community Cup and delivered a dominant 65-10 victory over Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew RFC, running in ten tries with Reece Eury crossing three times for a hat-trick. Further tries came from George Down (2), Jake Knapman, Ben Smart, Reid Allen, Luke Sanders and Rich Morgan.