DEVONPORT Services found fourth-placed Cinderford too hot to handle in the second half as the Forest of Dean side beat them 46-19 on the artificial pitch at Keyham on Saturday.
Services had been 14-5 up after 25 minutes and only trailed 19-14 at the break, but Cinderford, who were in National One last season, ran away with the match in the second period.
The National Two West fixture had to be moved from the Rectory after the MoD put the historic ground out of action after it hosted a naval cup match on Wednesday evening.
Services started well on their training pitch and went 7-0 up after Charlie Groves scored next to the posts and Richard West added the conversion.
Cinderford reduced the gap to 7-5 with a touch-down by Sam Smith, but on 22 minutes, Devonport were awarded a penalty try and the visitors had Jonny Holliday yellow carded.
But three minutes later George Pooley was then sin-binned for what the referee deemed a professional foul, but the visitors then picked up another yellow card to leave Services with a man advantage.
However, the home side could not make it count and two converted tries within two minutes put Cinderford in front for the first time.
With just five points between the sides at the break, it was still all to play for, but Cinderford scored within seconds of the restart courtesy of experienced hooker Nathan Taylor.
Ben Carpenter was then yellow carded for Cinderford and Charlie Groves scored a second try as Services tried their best to get back into the match.
But despite Cinderford picking up another yellow card, Devonport could not again take advantage.
Goalkicker Reece Broughton killed some time with a successful penalty attempt which made it 29-19.
And Cinderford pulled away in the final 20 minutes with a try by Will Baldwin and two more for former Hartpury winger Smith, who finished the afternoon with four.
“We started well and we were playing some nice rugby,” said Services head coach Ben Russell.
“Their coach said we should have been 21-0 up in the first 20 minutes and said they had got very lucky with how they got the ball back. He said if we had been up like that it might have been different as he said they don’t chase games very well.
“We were good in parts, but we just dropped off too many tackles in the second half.”
Bottom side Services, who were missing the likes of James Hocking, Joe Stansfield, Dan Goldstone, Dylan Daley, Henry Gliddon and Billy Orchard on Saturday, remain 14 points from safety with nine games to go.
“It is getting harder and harder,” admitted Russell. “But I said to the boys afterwards ‘I’m not saying that we are going down, as you have to have that belief’, but, you know what? If we are going to go down, let’s go down really fighting and let’s play rugby’.
“I told them that when we do get it right, teams don’t live with it. We can play some really good rugby, but it’s just the bits in between that just let us down.
“I said to the boys that we are here (in this league) as we were the best team in the league below. I told them to remember where they have come from.
“We just have to realise that we have nothing to lose.”
Services have a week off next Saturday before making the tough trip to second-placed side Clifton.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
STRUGGLING Tavistock could not do anything to stop the Pirates Amateurs going top of Western West on Saturday.
The Pirates ran in 10 tries to triumph 64-0 at Sandy Park.
The visitors were 31-0 ahead at half-time thanks to tries by Josh Semmens and two apiece from Ben Wragg and Sam Carroll.
After the interval the visitors added another five tries with Cornwall centre Semmens completing a hat-trick to go alongside touch-downs by Stan Somers, former Cornish Pirates and Albion back Rhodri McAtee and Eli Williams.
Afterwards Tavistock player-coach Hammy Kerswill said: “They are good. We let them in for a few soft scores, slipping off tackles, but they also scored some well-worked tries.
“We camped in their half a couple of times and put double-figure phases together, but their defence was too strong and we weren’t creative enough to get over the line.
“There were some spells of good play from us, however just spells is not good enough against a team like that.
“Before the game, we just said we needed to build on last week and try and enjoy some possession, which we did, but we couldn’t get over the line.
“There were a few good performances. Josh Langton was brilliant in defence.
“It’s just a case now of roll-on next week.”
Plymstock Oaks were not in action at the weekend and neither were Ivybridge in Regional One South West.
COUNTIES TWO CORNWALL
SALTASH moved another step closer to lifting the Counties Two Cornwall title by picking up five points against Wadebridge Camels II on Saturday.
The Camels handed the Ashes the walkover before the game as they were struggling for numbers, but they did visit Moorlands Lane and played a friendly to avoid a points deduction.
Saltash, who won the fixture 67-5, are now 15 points clear at the top of the table with six games to go.
They were soon off the mark on Saturday with Greg Eatwell touching down on the left wing after just two minutes.
Eight minutes later Danny Snook doubled their lead with another try down the left.
Hooker Rob Walsh then broke through and scored after 13 minutes for Jack Pritchard to convert and make it 17-0.
Following a drop-out from the Camels line, Walsh caught the ball and ran it back to increase the home advantage.
More Ashes pressure resulted in Greg Eatwell scoring another try close to the posts for Pritchard to add the extra points.
Wadebridge did threaten the home line just before the interval but were unable to penetrate the solid Ashes defence which gave them a lead of 29-0 at the break.
Within seven minutes of the restart Greg Eatwell crossed the Camels line twice (one converted) to increase the Ashes lead to 41-0.
However, a strong response by Wadebridge enabled them to get a deserved try after 52 minutes.
Saltash continued to dominate, and a Snook try, together with a touch-down by Lewis Wells plus conversions took the score to 55-5.
The Camels tried hard to stem the Ashes attack but could not prevent Walsh and Lewis Stuart getting further tries before the end.
Scrum-half Pritchard played a pivotal role in this team performance and kicked five conversions.
Meanwhile, Saltash II beat University of Plymouth III 38-32 in a friendly at King George V Playing Fields.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
OPMs have moved eight points clear of the bottom three places after beating Withycombe 10-7 away on Saturday.
The victory followed on from a narrow success away at Dartmouth the previous week and has given them some valuable breathing space with games against some of the top sides coming up.
Withycombe, who had won their previous five home games, went 7-0 up on 24 minutes with a converted try by Jack Sharland.
But the Old Boys pulled a try back before half-time courtesy of winger Will Mills to go in just 7-5 down at the break.
And after the interval, Matt Smale scored an unconverted try to put his side in front and they were able to hang on for the four points.
“It seems to be that we really turn it on away from home,” said OPMs team manager Shaun Grundy.
“What was good this weekend, is that I think we certainly wanted it more than they did.
“It was a sterling performance from the lads. It was really difficult to choose a man of the match as there were lots of good individual performances.”
He added: “We remained positive even when they did get their first try. We didn’t sit back on our heels or anything, we kept the fight going which was the important thing.
“It was a bit nervous in the final 20, but discipline, composure and game-management were key for us.
“The win certainly makes the next few weeks, not any less important as every game is important, but it does relieve the pressure ever so slightly.”
Tamar Saracens have dropped to third from bottom after they were beaten 85-0 away at unbeaten leaders Torquay Athletic with a makeshift team.
Sarries started the season well but have now lost their last eight games which leaves them in a relegation battle.
The Ernesettle side always knew it would be tough against a team that have been running in points for fun this campaign. Saturday’s game was the fourth time this season the Tics have scored more than 80 points.
“It’s out of the way now,” said Saracens’ Pete Lethbridge. “I can’t fault the boys for their commitment and determination.
“Torquay are a good side and have good strength in depth.
“We went up with a full 18 but within 20 minutes all our bench had been forced to come on, which left us with no more replacements.
“Scrummaging went all right, line-outs were all right, our defensive line and shape was much better, even though the score does not reflect that. Boys put their bodies on the line, but they are a good side.
“We were missing a lot of players. We haven’t had a consistent side out all season.
“We just said we weren’t going to lose any points. I know it was a rude awakening for some of the boys, but we played it and it’s now out of the way.”
Joel Armitage scored a hat-trick of tries for Torquay, with Matt Allanson and Ryan Hanauer both getting two and Shane Wakeham, George Helmore, Mitch Eagling, Matt Butler, Morgan Alcock and Ben Sharples also touching down for the home side. Lewis Crocker added 10 conversions.
Bottom side Plymouth Argaum also had a tough away trip to second-placed Honiton.
Argaum battled hard but went down 57-7 at Allhallows.
The visitors had played up the slope first half and changed ends 19-0 down.
“Having played up the slope first half, we did think we could get something out of the game,” said head coach Dean Avery.
Due to a number of players missing, Avery was among Argaum’s replacements and he came on and scored at the start of the second half. Stuart Giles, who was playing at fly-half instead of at hooker, converted to make it 19-7.
“We got ourselves in a good position,” said Avery. “But we just had too many players playing out of position due to injuries and they ended up running riot a bit in the last 20 minutes.
“The score did not really reflect the game. The guys wore the jerseys with pride and gave 100 per cent but it just wasn’t enough against second in the league.”
Ben Kidson and Ollie Rice both scored two tries apiece for Honiton, who also had Ben Phillips, Rob Price, Dan Jenkins, Ben Spence and Jake Johnson scoring tries.
Devonport Services II’s away match at Exeter Saracens was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
COUNTIES THREE DEVON SOUTH & WEST
IVYBRIDGE II stay top of Devon South & West after they edged out fellow title-rivals Old Techs 24-17 in a great battle at Weston Mill.
The strong Ivybridge side had gone 19-3 up and then 24-10 ahead, but Techs kept coming back and they dominated the final 15 minutes and came within inches of scoring a couple of times in the closing minutes.
Third-placed Techs were frustrated that they didn’t get any more than a point out of the match, but they were proud of their performance against an Ivybridge team, that included plenty of players that have had first team experience.
“I asked before the game that they give everything and not leave anything out on the pitch as they did two weeks ago against Paignton, and they did that,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith.
“The scoreline is the scoreline, but, not being biased, I think we had more possession and were the better team, but they were clinical and lived off our mistakes. Every time we made a mistake, they scored.
“Fair play to them, that’s about playing at a different level, whereas our guys are probably a bit green.”
He added: “The first 20 we struggled a bit as their scrum was going well, but we just said to stick at it, keep going and they will tire. And that is exactly what we have done. I am so proud of the boys.
“Ivybridge had their first team, second team, third and vets team to choose from, whereas the 20 we had were the only 20 we had available this weekend because of the amount of injuries we have picked up and boys away.
“Ivybridge are a massive club and they have a massive number of players they can draw on.
“So, for us, a little one team club, taking them to within a score and feeling a bit cheesed off as we felt we could have won the game, is testament to how far we have come as a club and a team.
“They (Ivybridge) defended really well, you can’t take that away from them, but they did have a lot of quality within that team. However, I don’t think we looked any different to them.”
Ivybridge’s skill coach Steve Atkinson said: “It was quite scrappy. I think the conditions suited them a bit more than us.
“We did want to try and spin it and use our quicker lads outside as we knew they had some big boys who would come around the corner, but we got into a bit of a dog fight.
“But we came out with a five-point win, so we are happy with that.
“I think it was a great game to watch if you were a neutral.”
The game was a rearranged one after the original fixture at the start of December was abandoned just before half-time after a tree fell down at the side of the pitch.
Techs were winning that game 7-5, but Ivybridge were able to bring a much-changed side this weekend.
Only six of the team that started that original game started on Saturday and the Bridgers were able to bring in the likes of Wes Vermigle, Dan Gloyns, Hamish Harris and Owen Garner into their pack, who all have first team experience.
In fact, all-but one of their starting line-up on Saturday have played for the first team at some point in their careers.
And they did start well, with their set-piece dominating, and they did have a number of chances before they did take the lead in the 10th minute when flanker Gloyns, who has played 11 first team games this season, scored after Harris and Alex Garner had done well. Luke Martell added the conversion to put his side 7-0 up.
After a shaky start, Techs gradually started to get into the game and in the 29th minute Sam Matts reduced the gap with a long-range penalty.
He had another go at the posts from long-range four minutes later, but that one was off-target.
As the half went on, Techs started to have some joy at the scrum and also found a way to win their line-out ball.
But half-time probably came at the wrong time for them and straight at the start of the second period, Ivybridge scored two tries in five minutes to go 19-3 up.
First, the powerful Harris scored on the left while Techs had a man down injured and then captain Sam Wilmington scored after charging down a Techs’ attempted clearing kick.
But Techs did respond quickly to the set back and replacement Brett Tunnicliffe scored after a brilliant run by centre Will Booth. Matts added the conversion to make it 19-10.
Martell missed a penalty attempt on 57 minutes, but the visitors did get a fourth try when Alex Garner went over from a catch-and-drive move after Techs had given away a penalty.
But after that it was all Techs.
The home side came agonisingly close to scoring in the 74th minute before Matt Gilbury was yellow carded for Ivybridge for not giving the ball back after Techs got a penalty close to the line.
And Techs did score from the tap penalty. They went wide and strong centre Booth shrugged off four tackles to score. Matts again converted to make it a one-score game.
Techs threw everything at Ivybridge in the closing stages. Kieran Hurrell nearly got away down the right wing, before Techs were stopped right on the line after a catch-and-drive move.
The home side got a number of penalties and Billy Evans looked like he was going to score after breaking off a maul, but the ball was just stripped from him on the line.
Plympton Victoria were another side left thinking what might have been had their game against Kingsbridge II gone ahead as planned before Christmas.
Their pitch was playable on December 7, but Kingsbridge did not want to travel after the weather warning.
The match was rearranged for this weekend and Kingsbridge II were able to get a side out and edge out Plym Vic 17-16.
It was the first time since December 14 that Kingsbridge II had been able to field a team after handing walkovers to Brixham II, Oaks II and Paignton II, as well as Techs and Brixham II earlier in the season.
Plym Vic had gone 10-0 up with a Jordan Blair try and a conversion and penalty by Chris Barratt, but Kingsbridge II clawed their way back into the match and were able to hang on in the closing minutes.
“It was exceptionally frustrating,” said Plym Vic’s Chris Hunt. “We had the lion’s share of play and left a couple of tries out there.
“We had a ton of play, but we just couldn’t break the line and finish it off.
“At the end just some naivety and game-management cost us. We just need to be able to finish.
“Kingsbridge hardly touch the ball in the last 20 minutes of the game, but we just couldn’t close it out and get that score which would have nicked us the game, which was a shame.”
Frustratingly for second-from-bottom Plym Vic, Plymstock Oaks II have moved seven points clear of them after they beat Paignton II 40-31 with a strong side.
Oaks II had been boosted earlier this month by being handed the walkover by Kingsbridge II.
And with no first team game, they were able to take a strong side to Paignton II.
Corey Jamieson, Kieran Jamieson, Duncan Bibby and Matt Jackson joined the likes of Ben Turua, Nathan Akers, Sean Wills and Dion Todd in their second string.
In the only other game in that division, second-placed Brixham II beat Totnes 38-18.
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