DEVONPORT Services have made a great start to life in National Challenge One South West with two wins out of two.
Newly-promoted Services showed good character on Sunday to beat North Petherton 36-24 at Keyham.
That followed on from a hard-earned 17-12 victory over city rivals Plymstock Albion Oaks in their opening league match of the campaign.
Having led 17-10 at half-time on Sunday, North Petherton came back and stormed into a 24-17 lead within the first 16 minutes of the second period, but Devonport finished strongly with three tries in the final 17 minutes.
Samantha Alderson got the hosts off to a great start with a try from a quick tap penalty after just five minutes.
North Petherton hit back but hooker Bobbie Jackson added a second try for Services with a fine individual long-range effort.
Tina Martin then added a third try when she showed good pace to score in the right corner to make it 17-5.
North Petherton cut the gap before the break and then scored two quick tries after half-time to take the lead for the first time.
But Devonport centre Annie Jones showed great strength to hold off a couple of tackles to score on 63 minutes. She then added another fine effort in the right corner before forward Gemma Flowers broke free down the wing to complete the scoring.
In the same division, Plymstock Albion Oaks lost 31-0 to a strong Bath II side.
In the tier above – Women’s Championship South West Two – Ivybridge got their first win of the season with a 41-0 victory away at Newbury.
It was the perfect way for the Bridgers to bounce back from their opening 21-12 defeat to London Irish.
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