DEVONPORT Services’ players could not hide their delight at snatching a dramatic 27-23 victory over Redruth at the Rectory on Saturday.
It was their first National League win and came after eight successive defeats.
And it could not have been achieved in more spectacular circumstances.
Despite having plenty of territory and possession, they found themselves trailing 23-15 with less than three minutes of normal time to go.
But replacement Luke Stannard scored an unconverted try in the corner to leave them three points behind going into injury-time.
That seemed to inspire them and with the last play of the game, they were awarded a penalty just to the right of the posts. It would have probably been an easy three points to secure a draw with an established National League side.
However, Services hardly thought about settling for three points. Instead, they went for the corner and from the line-out they drove over, with fly-half Richard West the unlikely man getting the ball down to win them the game.
It was fitting that West and captain Matt Gregory were among their five try scorers in their first ever National League win as they had been part of the side that had got Services out of Western West back in 2018, which was the first of three promotions in six years.
Head coach Ben Russell admitted he was delighted for the players that they had finally secured a victory after a tough couple of months since moving up to level four.
“It has been a long time coming,” said Russell.
“I think that week off really refreshed us. It enabled us to clear our heads.
“We have always been battling, but this week defensively we were 10 times better. It was brilliant.”
He added: “That was a proper battle. Both teams had purple patches.
“At the start of the second half they went 20-10 up, but for the boys to come back like that was brilliant. That’s what we were all about last year – we never gave in and went to the end.
“Was it a complete performance? No, as we couldn’t always catch the ball or pass to each other, but we kept on digging and dogged it out.”
Russell said he didn’t think it was a tough decision to turn down a likely draw to try and go for the win with the last play of the game.
He said: “We knew we already had two points and a draw would have only been a point difference so I said try and go for the win.
He added: “It’s been hard (this season) as we have had a lot of injuries, but the players have been battling away in training. We have to back it up now. We now can’t go to Taunton and not perform like that.”
Services came out looking like they knew they could end their wait for a long-awaited win.
After defending some pressure from the kick-off from Redruth, they took the lead in the seventh minute when captain Gregory went over from close range after Services pressed from a line-out.
But five minutes later Redruth did pull level when hooker Matthew Pritchard crossed from a catch-and-drive move.
Services then had a really good spell and were really pressing for a try, but a looping, long pass in their own 22 was intercepted by Redruth’s Royal Navy scrum-half Will Rigelsford, who ran the length of the field to score under the posts for an easy conversion for Dean Wills.
Devonport dominated the rest of the half. They had a number of five-metre line-outs that were stopped illegally and Redruth had back-rowers Jack King and Shaun Buzza sin-binned within the space of six minutes.
And the numerical advantage did tell just before the break when Services full-back Billy Orchard, who did play a game for Redruth last season, scored in the right corner after the home side switched play quickly from a line-out on the left.
West was unable to add the tough conversion, so Services narrowly trailed 12-10 at the break.
The home team had a nightmare start to the second half. They knocked on when attacking and replacement Oli Symons was yellow carded for a high tackle and from the penalty, Redruth scored a third try, with hooker Pritchard going over again from a catch-and-drive move.
Services then also had young forward Bertie Fordham yellow carded, and Wills kicked the penalty to put Redruth 20-10 ahead.
However, the home side quickly responded with Shaun Crawford scoring in the right corner after great play by the impressive Henry Gliddon and George Pooley.
Redruth were clearly worried about Services as they opted for a penalty in the 67th minute to edge them 23-15 in front.
But Devonport, with young scrum-half Billy Sutton coming on and bringing some spark, really finished strongly. Aiden Taylor was ruled to have been held up over the line in the 75th minute. The hosts did keep up the pressure and it eventually told when replacement Stannard scored in the right corner from a scrum move.
West hit the post with the conversion, so Services trailed 23-20 going into injury-time.
As Devonport pressed, Redruth had Chris Mills yellow carded and four minutes into added time, Services were handed a kickable penalty that could secure them a draw.
But there appeared no doubt in any of the players’ minds what they were going to do, and they went for the corner and the gamble paid off with Services’ maul going over and West grabbing the ball to ground it and win the match for his side. For good measure he also added the conversion – his only one of the day – with Devonport out-scoring Redruth five tries to three.
REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST
IVYBRIDGE remain in the relegation zone after they lost 34-14 at home to new leaders Exmouth, but the Cross-in-Hand club felt there were plenty of positives from their performance.
The young Ivybridge side have suffered some very heavy defeats at the hands of the other top six sides in the league, but they seemed to have gained a bit of confidence from beating Chew Valley in their last outing.
They were only 10-7 down at half-time on Saturday, but they just struggled to stop Exmouth’s pack close to the line.
“We really took the game to them,” said Ivybridge team manager Neil Thomson.
“We were playing really well. They were second in the league and they were quite complimentary to us.
“Our young team did stick at it. They were just a bit bigger than us, but we didn’t lose heart.
“We were delighted with the performance, but just when we closed in there was five minutes we went back to what we were doing previously.”
Young scrum-half James Cantin scored Ivybridge’s only try in the first half, which came after a good break by captain Matt Grieveson, who as he was tackled managed to kick the ball forward and it fell perfectly for his half-back partner.
Ivybridge, though, could not find a way to stop Exmouth’s catch-and-drive moves and the visitors scored three tries that way, although the home side also managed one in the second period with Chey Bryce getting the ball down.
“They were really top notch at it,” said Thomson. “They had a much bigger pack than us.”
Ivybridge have a big game next weekend when they visit ninth-placed St Austell, who are five points ahead of them in the table.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
PLYMSTOCK Oaks moved back to the top of Western West after they dug out a hard-earned 15-12 victory away at Wiveliscombe, who had started the day in fourth place.
Oaks really had to battle for the four points in Somerset and trailed 12-8 at the break.
The visitors did take the lead in the 23rd minute when Lewie Riley kicked a penalty after Wivelisombe had been reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes.
But instantly the home side responded and scored a converted try to go 7-3 ahead.
The hosts then added a second in the 34th minutes to put them 12-3 in front, but just before the break Alex Chapman scored a vital try to close the gap to just four points at the interval.
The game was nip-and-tuck, but the decisive try came in the 54th minute when Joe Brearley scored and Riley converted.
There was no scoring in the final 25 minutes, despite both teams battling for the points.
Despite not picking up a bonus point, Oaks went top as Paignton surprisingly drew away at struggling St Ives.
Tavistock have dropped to second-from-bottom after they were heavily beaten 73-5 away at Kingsbridge on Saturday.
It was the second time this season they have conceded more than 70 points in an away match, having lost 74-7 at Barnstaple II in September.
Tavistock were unable to call on the likes of Liam Watts, Toby Teague, Richard Cann, Jack Giddy, Jack Osborne, Ethan Lamerton, Andrew Craddock, Andrew Schuttkacker, Jack Rocks, Charlie Charlton and Jack Lewis on Saturday, while captain Hammy Kerswill had to play despite not being fit.
“It was a tough day,” said Kerswill afterwards. “We had spells in the first 25 minutes where we defended for periods and disrupted them a little bit so they did not capitalise on every opportunity they had.
“But the middle period was quite the opposite, and our tired legs had no answer.
“We ended up travelling with 16 and me who is far from fit.
“One positive was we did welcome back a couple of old faces to the club and we have had a few show interest on getting back on the pitch, but we’ll see what happens.”
He added: “Charles Bowden was the stand-out player for us. He had a great defensive game and looked one of our only attacking threats.”
Tavistock only got into Kingsbridge’s 22 on three occasions, but they did manage to get a try five minutes from the end when Martin Budden scored off a driving maul.
COUNTIES TWO CORNWALL
SALTASH continue to set the pace in the league with a 74-7 victory away at Hayle on Saturday.
Despite scoring 74 points, the Ashes did not feel they hit top form, with the club describing it as a ‘workmanlike victory’.
Saltash took the lead after just four minutes when a slick move ended with winger Will Morton crossing the whitewash.
Ryan Cruickshanks further increased Saltash’s lead, which was a result from another good handling move, with Jack Pritchard adding the extra points to make it 12-0.
The lively Hayle backs tried hard to penetrate the Ashes defence, but the visitors held firm and two tries from skipper Jay Moriarty within the space of five minute put the visitors in control of the game.
Eventually following a penalty, Hayle did get a converted try to close the gap to 22-7.
But the Ashes improved their cohesion and tries from Cruickshanks and Lewis Stuart, both converted, gave the Moorlands Lane club a 36-7 lead at the interval.
The second period started evenly, but three quick tries from winger Morton in the 50, 54 and 58 minutes put the score at 53-7.
A cross-field flowing move ended with Cruickshanks touching down which was converted.
Hayle battled well but could not stop the continued Ashes pressure and two converted tries in the last 10 minutes by Danny Snook and Cruickshanks ended the 12-try victory.
Scrum-half Pritchard controlled the Ashes backs and kicked well with seven conversions.
In the same division, Liskeard-Looe beat Bodmin 19-8 at Lux Park.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
DEVONPORT Services II continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-earned 35-5 home victory over a battling Dartmouth side on Saturday.
Dartmouth really made Services work hard for the victory and were only 14-5 down at the break.
Devonport were boosted by having Mike Hunt and Jack Evans drop down from the first team and they did cause Dartmouth problems with their strong running, but Services as a team never really got into any kind of a flow.
The visitors deserve credit for frustrating them and Services II will be hoping to learn from the match with a top-of-the-table clash against fellow unbeaten side Torquay Athletic on the calendar this month.
Dartmouth, who have picked up form in recent weeks, took the lead in the 17th minute when flanker Tom Clark scored from a catch-and-drive move.
Services II had to wait until the 26th minute to score their first try, which came from number eight Hunt.
And just before half-time, Services II got a second try courtesy of second-row Al Thomas.
After a slow start to the second period, Devonport finally got a third try when full-back Charlie Groves went over on the left after some good play from a scrum.
The all-important fourth try came in the 63rd minute when Hunt made a great break from 30 metres and with the last play of the game, Josh Martin bagged a fifth try for the home side.
Fly-half Leighton Stark converted all of Services’ tries.
Tamar Saracens are up to fifth after they got back to winning ways with a 33-13 home victory over bottom side South Molton.
After winning three out of their opening four games of the season, Sarries went into Saturday’s fixture having lost three in a row.
But they never really looked like they were going to slip up this weekend and led 19-3 at the break.
Hooker Adam Corbett scored two tries from catch-and-drive moves to put Sarries 12-0 up.
South Molton put Saracens under quite a bit of pressure then but the home side’s defence held firm, although they did give away a penalty that the visitors kicked.
But before half-time, Sarries added a third try courtesy of Robbie Fowler from another good drive, which Rob Hall converted.
After the interval, Frazer Tatchell scored their fourth after an earlier good break by Lew Harris, who went over for their fifth which put them 33-3 ahead.
But in the closing stages, Sarries found themselves down to 14 men after debutant Josh Dowding picked up two yellow cards after coming on as a replacement – one which was for a team offence – and the visitors scored two unconverted tries.
“It was really good win to be fair,” said Tamar Saracens’ Pete Lethbridge. “We were much improved from our last game. We were really happy with the boys.
“They put a really good shift in. We were short in the backs and had Chad Smith, who is usually a flanker or second-row, was in the centre. But it was a really good response to the last game.”
OPMs felt there were plenty of positives from their performance, despite going down 40-12 at home to unbeaten leaders Torquay Athletic.
The Tics have been running in big scores against many teams and went into the match having only twice failed to score more than 60 points from the opening six games they had played.
“You don’t play against the top of the table who are undefeated and expect it to be an easy Saturday, but I think that maybe spurred us on a bit more,” said OPMs team manager Shaun Grundy.
“I would probably go as far to say that is the most positive first 40 we have played all season.
“We really held our own and it was a really competitive first half and I think they had to change it at half-time.
“One of the best things for me stood on the side as one of the support staff was seeing the boys actually enjoying playing their rugby. It was really positive.
“And in the last 10 minutes of the game it was all us. It was much the same as the Topsham game and shows that the fight is there with us.”
Fred Smale scored a try towards the end of the first half, which his brother Matt converted, and with the last play of the game captain Billy Garratt crossed for OPMs’ second try of the game.
Torquay scored six tries, with Josh Mackin, Matt Butler and Callum Crocker all crossing the whitewash twice, Mawgan Penrice adding four conversion and Jack Akery one.
There was disappointment for Plymouth Argaum who were beaten 42-0 at home by fellow strugglers Topsham II.
Argaum were again hit by availability problems and fielded a makeshift side that was missing the likes of Tom Holliday, Darren Ewers, Dave Clack, Eddie McGinley, Al Percival, Dan Smith, Tom Mann, Tom Worboys, Luc Phillips, Karl Sullivan and Ryan Tunnicliffe.
“We competed reasonably well and even though they scored 48 points they didn’t really have that much possession,” said head coach Dean Avery.
“We kept the ball for a while but when they did get it, they just ran hard lines and went straight through the middle of us. We fell off tackles and didn’t defend well enough.
“They had a really good 13 who was a good strong runner and caused us a lot of problems.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t get on the scoresheet.
“As a club at the moment we are really struggling with injuries and availability. The guys that came in and put a shirt on gave it their best effort.”
Avery is hopeful the club will have more players available to make the trip to Torquay next weekend.
COUNTIES THREE
OLD Techs’ unbeaten start to the season came to a crashing end as they were beaten 54-14 away by Brixham II in a top-of-the-table clash.
Both sides had gone into the match with 100 per cent records, but Brixham II showed why they are favourites for the title with an impressive second half display.
“We have no complaints; they are just a very good side,” said Techs chairman David Evans.
“They are very young, but very intense and well-drilled. They were very clinical.
“They were better than us, but I have to say they were also very good hosts.”
He added: “It’s a learning curve for us and it has shown us a bit where we are and where we need to be.
“We just have to try and erase this result now and get back to winning our games. We just have to go forward.
“It was a little bit disappointing, but, as I said, they were just better than us.”
The first half was tight, with Brixham edging it 18-7. Will Booth scored Techs’ first try, which was converted by Sam Matts.
But Brixham II turned up the pace second half and Techs had to make do with just a penalty try in the second 40 minutes for their efforts.
Ivybridge II have moved back into second place, above Techs, after they beat Torquay Athletic II 48-15.
The Bridgers were also a team to turn up the gas in the second period after turning around just 17-10 in front.
Plympton Victoria claimed their first win of the season in style on Saturday as they beat a makeshift Plymstock Oaks II team 53-3 at Horsham Fields.
“It’s been coming and it all clicked this weekend,” said Plym Vic’s Lewis Jeffery.
“I know Oaks II were struggling a bit and so had a scratch side, which was a shame for them and no-one likes to see that, but it was just a good day at the office for us.”
Nathan Couzens, Connor Archer, Jordan Blair, Chris Barrett, Sid Bear, Andy Hodges and Jimmy Bore scored tries for Plym Vic, with Barrett kicking two conversions and a penalty and Alex Buckley adding three conversions.
Oaks’ only points came from a kick from James Ferriman.
Oaks II captain Dan Larn, who was ruled out, said: “We were forced to call people out of retirement in order to fulfil this fixture, as we had five players drop out on Friday morning through injury. Given we only had a bare 15 in the first place this was a disaster for us.
“We seemed to be coping fairly well in the first half, managing to keep it close. But again we completely imploded after the restart.
“In all fairness, I think Plym Vic did well, and many commented that it was the best performance they have put in.
“Unfortunately for Oaks, while Plym Vic reached a peak this weekend, it was a very poor showing from us.
“Once again, I’d like to acknowledge all the lads that stepped up for us last minute, despite injuries and other commitments.”
Plym Vic’s win has moved them up to seventh in the table.
In Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II were beaten 73-5 by unbeaten leaders Camborne II, who included the likes of Damien Cook and Andrius Zacharovas in their side. Camborne’s first team are currently top of National Two West.
All pictures are low resolution and are protected by copyright so should not be used without permission.