BRIXHAM RUGBY SUPPORTERS

CRUSADERS 2012/13

8th September 2012 CRUSADERS 29 DEVONPORTS SERVS RES 17
The official view:
Today, against Devonport Services, the backs displayed ball skills worthy of most 1st XV's and, aided by the superb back up skills of prop forward Darren Pitts, ran in one try under the posts and four more, straight down the wing, in the hands of Anthony Soper.
If it hadn't been for an exceptionally strong performance by the Devonport forwards, which limited our supply of possession, more tries may have ensued. As it was, they leaped on every mistake the Crusaders made and were justifiably rewarded with three tries of their own.
All in all, an entertaining game with an equal amount of groans and cheers from both sets of coaches. A match that was a credit to both teams was kept flowing by excellent refereeing.

LAST SEASON:

Team Contacts

Crusaders Manager: Colin Champion
01803 554765 07788560786 Email: jo.champion@btinternet.com

31st March CRUSADERS 53 PAIGNTON 8
Eight tries and seven different try-scorers. Jake Chapman accompanied his with five conversions and a penalty goal.
Team:
C CHAMPION, D CHAMPION, D LEVITT, L BOYD, F BANCROFT, J CLARK, R SEYMOUR, J MCLEAN, S ONSLOW, J SHONE, H DAVIS, BROWN, J CHAPMAN, D LANGMEAD, A MURRY SMITH, A HAWKES, J NASH, T ROBINSON

10th March CRUSADERS 60 SIDMOUTH RES 7

11th February CRUSADERS 18 OKEHAMPTON RES 13
Crusaders team: NASH, SHEARS (T), ROBINSON, BOYD, FLASHMAN, SEYMOUR, GLANVILLE, WOOD, ROWE, BROWN (P), DALLOW, HAWKES (T), DAVIS, LAIDLAW, LANGMEAD (T); replacements: BOUNSALL, SPURDLE, MEECH

14th January BARNSTAPLE RES 3 CRUSADERS 16
1 C CHAMPION
2 M SHEARS 1 TRY
3 M MEACOCK
4 L BOYD
5 S TRUST
6 J NASH
7 J CLARK 1 TRY
8 J MCLEAN
9 S ONSLOW
10 B LOVELL 2 PEN
11 S LAIDLAW
12 M LIBBERON
13 A BROWN
14 A SOPER
15 D LANGMEAD
16 A GLANVILLE
17 A HAWKES
18 T WOOD

7th January NEWTON ABBOT RES 10 CRUSADERS 66 (Friendly)
1 D ORAM 1 TRY
2 M SHEARS 1 TRY
3 M MEACOCK
4 L BOYD
5 C CHAMPION
6 J NASH
7 J CLARK 2 TRY
8 A HAWKES
9 S ONSLOW 3TRY
10 B LOVELL 1TRY 8 CON
11 S LAIDLAW
12 M LIBERON
13 A BROWN 2 TRY
14 T ROBINSON
15 D LANGMEAD

3rd December PAIGNTON II v CRUSADERS
Paignton unable to raise a team!

19th November CRUSADERS 12 CULLOMPTON RES 11
Protecting a 100% record gets harder as time goes on. The Crusaders preserved theirs but as Wellington said after Waterloo it was a damn close-run thing.
In the opening quarter it was all Cullompton. The Crusaders' defence was tested by the opposing forwards and, when they failed, by their backs. All the early pressure brought them was a penalty goal. The Crusaders began to get more into the game but the performance was disjointed and Cullompton went further ahead with a try.
With the scrum under pressure the Crusaders were forced into heroic defence and withstood sustained pressure at the end of the half. If Cullompton thought that an 8-0 interval lead was less than they deserved they might have been correct.
Playing downhill in the second period the Crusaders started to make more progress. Their spirits were lifted when lock Liam Boyd crashed over for a try but Richard Champion's conversion failed. More attacking gave Champion the opportunity to atone for his miss and level the scores but the penalty came back off the post. Within minutes the Crusaders had the lead. After Jake Chapman was hauled down a metre short of the line No 8 Jason MacLean was on hand to follow-up and touch down. Champion added the extras.
The final quarter was as tense as any spectator might have wished for. The Crusaders pressed to increase their lead; Cullompton always looked dangerous on the counter attack. A penalty goal for the visitors narrowed the lead to a single point. When they missed a similar attempt with the final kick of the match the relief for the Crusaders was palpable.

12th November SIDMOUTH RES 7 CRUSADERS 58

With news filtering through about the First team, the Crusaders made it a blacker day at Blackmoor with a ten-try victory over their hosts. Peter Chart grabbed the headlines with a four try haul; the remainder shared between six others. Richard Champion (3) and Ross Edwards added conversions.

29th October CRUSADERS 48 NEWTON ABBOT RES 0
The Crusaders' early season success continued with an eight try demolition job on Newton Abbot Reserves.
The first half failed to reach any great heights as the Crusaders gradually began to get to grips with the opposition. The opening score, midway through the period, went to outside half Ross Edwards. From a scrum in front of the posts he spotted a gap and went through to touch down and give himself an easy conversion. The Crusaders were on their way but were found it difficult to increase their score. Shortly before the break winger James Nash was held up over the line but after the resultant scrum more Crusaders pressure created the platform for lock Liam Boyd to crash over.
The Crusaders had a 12-0 lead but in the second half, playing down the slope, they brought the game to life. Early pressure went unrewarded but a powerful run from No. 8 Jason McLean brought him a try. In the ensuing eight minutes the Newton defence was breached three more times. A clever kick by Edwards turned the defence brought some neat footwork from winger Antony Soper who won the chase to touch the ball down. McLean then made another run. Starting from halfway, brushing off and breaking through tackles, he deserved his second try. The third belonged to centre Andy Hawkes.
Newton got close to the Crusaders line on a couple of occasions but could find no way through. At the other end tries by Boyd and Soper increased the margin as the Crusaders marched on.

October 15th CRUSADERS 45 TIVERTON RES 13
The Crusaders maintained their 100% Merit Table record with another emphatic victory. After falling behind in the first minute to a penalty goal they upped the pressure and had the game won by half-time after running in 5 tries.
Luke Maggs was first on the scoresheet. A scrum five metres out found the Brixham pack going backwards but he picked up the ball and evaded tackles to touch down near the corner. Winger Tim Robinson found his way to the same spot midway through the first half - outside-half Ross Edwards narrowly failing with both conversions.
Edwards turned into provider for the Crusaders' third try - his break putting Harry Davis clear for an unopposed run in. Centre Antony Soper swept in for a brace of tries before the break and with Edwards' conversions the Crusaders turned around 31-3 in front.
In the second half this lead was soon extended. A mazy run by centre Jake Chapman was rounded off by a delicate chip ahead. Chapman won the race to touch down and Edwards had a simple conversion. Ten minutes of Tiverton pressure on the Brixham line brought no rewards and when the ball was turned over in the Brixham 22 slick hands moved it to Davis whose pace took him all the way to touch down between the posts.
Tiverton were rewarded for their efforts with two unconverted tries in the final quarter but the contest was long over.

8th October CRUSADERS 74 CREDITON RES 12

October 2nd DEVONPORT SERVICES RES 6 CRUSADERS 106
Sixteen tries for the Crusaders; shared out among the players and most converted by Ross Edwards. No match report but here is what Services had to say:

I have to say that I am, by nature, as person who can find some thing positive in most situations, apart, maybe, from the arrival on your door mat of a speeding ticket or a traffic warden tapping on your window while you wait for the wife to come from a morning in the Marks & Spencer’s sales.
Today, for the second time in three weeks the seconds went down by over a hundred points.
I said last week I have never seen it before, but it came again.Two weeks ago we were short of players which was some sort of excuse. Then the team played with tremendous passion and effort but were simple out numbered and could do little about it. This week the general opinion of the spectators was that, for some reason, the tackling was poor.
Last week was a good result against a medical team that often has some very good players in it. This week it was not as if Brixham were a fast team, on the contrary they were, to put it politely, a heavy team, quite slow even but a team that supported each other well.
They had the edge in the scrums and the lineouts were even. There were moments when we rucked well and cleared them off the ball with, to use an old word, vim.
Unlike Jonny Wilkinson both teams kicked really well.
Our six points came from Raquel Welch, as the team calls him, who took his two attempts at kicking penalties very well.
What else can I say, at half time the score stood at 6 ~ 54, for the first half of the second half we held them down for a while, but then they ran wild and doubled the score.
I think we came close to their line a couple of times. That’s it.
Robin Mealing and I just about managed to get the electronic score board running, Brixham management were very impressed with our new score board. So we won the technology game.
As Kieran said after the game, this sort of score line is not the normal Super Two’s, the players in the team are too good for that, for some reason the tackling fell apart today. I have no doubt that if the same team managed to get it together we could beat that same Brixham team.
It is important to remember that Brixham are doing well in the league above us.
It was nice to see Brian Crichton again even if he was playing for them, our first team captain a couple of seasons ago and now a regular of Brixham first team, he suffered a broken hand and ribs at the end of last season and is working his way back to fitness, it was also good to see his elder brother Andy playing for us.

24th September CRUSADERS 31 BARNSTAPLE 0
For thirty minutes play alternated from end to end as the sides sought to get the measure of each other but without creating any real scoring chances. Winger Harry Davies broke the deadlock when his pace took him clear for the opening try. Minutes later Bryan Crichton used both pace and power to drive through the centre for the second try. Ross Edwards landed both conversions and the Crusaders turned around 14-0 ahead.
Brixham attacked from the restart and were desperately close to the try line twice before winger Jack Clark touched down in the corner for the third try. With the Crusaders in control of the match more scores were likely. The pack duly obliged from a 5 metre lineout when replacement hooker David Champion was propelled over the line.
Edwards had missed both difficult conversions but made amends when he spotted a gap in midfield and went through under the posts to give himself an easy conversion with the last kick of the game.

17th September TORQUAY EXTRAS 0 CRUSADERS 21
1 TRY ALEX MURRY-SMITH; 2 TRIES ANTONY SOPER: 3 CONS ROSS EDWARDS

10th September CRUSADERS 42 EXMOUTH II 17
The Crusaders could not have wished for a stiffer test when they began their Merit Table campaign against last season's winners.
Exmouth, with the wind and slope in their favour, attacked from the off and within three minutes had the lead. From a lineout on the Brixham 22 their scrum half ran through for an easily converted try.
This was not the start the Crusaders might have wished for but they soon had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard. Ross Edwards missed the penalty attempt but from the restart a run by Matt Dempsey put Brixham back on the attack. A second penalty attempt gve Edwards the opportunity to make amends and the Crusaders were on their way.
Consistent pressure from Brixham took them into the lead midway through the half when Dempsey finished off a backs move with a try in the corner. There was no looking back after two further tries in the space of five minutes. Andy Knight and Dylan Flashman both powered through to touch down; Edwards converted both and Brixham had a 22-7 lead. Exmouth found the Crusaders' defence unrelenting and only achieved a penalty on the stroke of half-time for their efforts.
Those three points were nullified almost immediately after the break by Edwards' second penalty. With the wind against them Exmouth were rare visitors to the Brixham half in the second period. Ten minutes into the half an attempt to run the ball out of defence was stopped by a comprehensive tackle on their winger by Peter Chart - gaining Brixham a lineout close to the Exmouth line. Catch, drive, and the pack propelled Liam Boyd over for a try.
Dempsey scored his second try midway through the half when he finished off in the corner and the game was over as a contest. Exmouth had not given up and with ten minutes remaining a passage of penalties took them deep into Brixham territory. A converted try narrowed the deficit but the Crusaders had time for their sixth try. A scrum against the head won the ball and winger Josh Fitton touched down in the corner to secure an emphatic victory.

30th August CRUSADERS 29 TOTNES 19

Report to come

LAST SEASON
(and before)

CRUSADERS 2010/11

2nd April 2011 CREDITON RES 11 CRUSADERS 52
Eight tries were equally shared between the forwards and backs. David Champion, Rhys Cattell and Liam Boyd scored for the forwards; Antony Soper, Dave Langmead and the new centre Andy Hawkes for the backs. Guy Marler slotted five conversions and Hawkes demonstrated his versatility with one.

26th March 2011 TORQAY RES 20 CRUSADERS 22
Crusaders' flankers Alun Glanvill and Dan Ritson grabbed a try each to add to one by centre Gary Rooney. Outside half Ross Edwards dropped a goal and converted twice.

19th March 2011 KINGSBRIDGE RESERVES 14 CRUSADERS 51

12th March 2010 CRUSADERS 35 NEWTON ABBOT RESERVES 6

5th March 2011 OKEHAMPTON RES 3 CRUSADERS 18
Tries from Peter Chart and Liam Boyd; a penalty and conversion by Ross Edwards and a penalty by Steve Worth.

19th February 2011 CRUSADERS 67 SIDMOUTH RES 7

5th February 2011 PAIGNTON DEV 10 CRUSADERS 18
The scorers for the Crusaders were Peter Chart - 2 tries, Ross Edwards - 2 drop-goals and Jamie Shone 1 conversion

29th January 2011 IVYBRIDGE RES 3 CRUSADERS 65

15th January 2011 CRUSADERS 53 WADEBRIDGE 22
Scorers
Tries: D CHAMPION, R CATTEL, L FAULKES, G ROONEY, L BOYD and D LANGMEAD (2)
Conversions: J CLARK and R EDWARDS (5)
Penalties: R EDWARDS (2)

8th January 2011 Devonport Services Res 31 CRUSADERS 18
Tries by James Nash and David Langmead; one conversion and two penalties by Cody Dyer.

2nd January 2011 CRUSADERS 12 TORQUAY RES 5
Four penalties from Ross Edwards

20th November 2010 NEWTON ABBOT RES 34 CRUSADERS 0
The boys played a great game, they had loads of ball and spent a lot of the time camped in Newtons half but just failed to finish. Newton broke our line to run in half the pitch on three occassions. Thanks to scampi who stepped in at the last minute to give us a scrum half and well done Ross and Ricky who were both fighting viruses. Our scrum got pushed all over the park by a much heavyer pack but our line out came out on top

6th November 2010 BIDEFORD RES 22 CRUSADERS 17
Winger Guy Marler and hooker David Champion scored tries, both converted by Richard Champion. He also kicked a penalty but the Crusaders returned south with nothing else to show for their efforts.

30th October 2010 SIDMOUTH RES 38 CRUSADERS 23
Tries from No 8 Liam Boyd, winger Gary Rooney and substitute back Antony Soper - plus 2 penalties and a conversion by outside half Ross Edwards were not enough.

23rd October 2010 CRUSADERS 13 PAIGNTON II 21
Centre Guy Marler landed two penalties and converted full-back David Langmead's try.

16th October 2010 CRUSADERS 38 IVYBRIDGE RES 10

9th October 2010 CRUSADERS 35 CULLOMPTON RES 3
On a dismal, blustery, day this match failed to reach any great heights. Brixham took an early lead through a Richard Champion penalty goal but it took another 25 minutes before they increased it - Champion slotting a second penalty. Winger Gary Rooney then completed a backs move to touch down in the corner for the opening try. In the closing minutes of the first half a Cullompton penalty narrowed the gap. Cullompton attacked again and a crossfield kick for their winger found safe hands - unfortunately for the visitors they were those of Brixham's David Langmead who went the length of the pitch to score under the posts to leave Champion an easy conversion.
18-3 to Crusaders at half-time was probably more than they deserved. In the second half Cully played to the strength of their forwards and Brixham had a torrid time in the scrums. Winning the battle up front was not enough, however, and they rarely came close to scoring against the solid defence. By contrast Brixham had pace in the backs and ran in three more tries. Rooney scored his second before old favourite Peter Chart came off the bench to defy age and younger legs by scoring a try in each corner. Champion converted the last to seal the win.

2nd October 2010 SALCOMBE 19 CRUSADERS 13

25th Sept 2010 CRUSADERS 30 DEVONPORT SERVS RES 20
Crusaders struggled to contain a committed Services team on Saturday. In the first ten minutes both sides had brief periods of pressure but the stalemate was broken by a Services try. Crusaders struck back when a tap penalty in midfield found the hands of Andy Hawkes who broke through the centre of the defence for a try. Nathan Dallow converted.
A penalty attempt by Services would have given them the lead but in the ensuing play a Crusaders attack broke down in midfield. A hack through and Services had the lead with a converted try. Crusaders attacked from the restart and restored parity when Ricky Seymour touched down. Dallow hit the wrong side of the post with his conversion.
A penalty goal by Services brought the curtain down on an even first half and Crusaders turned around 15-12 behind.
In the second period the Crusaders were able to exert more consistent pressure and levelled the scores when Josh Fitton slotted a penalty. Midway through the half Brixham virtually set up camp in the Services 22 and a succession of penalties eventually saw Hawkes go over for a try. Dallow added the extras and shortly after a penalty goal to give Crusaders a ten point margin.
This soon became fifteen when David Langmead scorched down the touchline to complete an attacking move with a try but Services were not finished. In the final ten minutes they pressed Crusaders back and sternly tested the defences. In injury time they were rewarded with their third try but Crusaders had the important League points.

11th September 2010 Barnstaple Reserves 14 Crusaders 23
Two tries by Gary Rooney and one from Liam Boyd plus 2 penalties and a conversion by Richard Champion saw the Crusaders through to a good win in North Devon.

4th September 2010 CRUSADERS 20 EXMOUTH RES 33
Crusaders started the defence of their Merit Table trophy in unconvincing fashion. After struggling to do anything much in the first half the Crusaders trailed 21-3 at the break. Twelve minutes into the second half and three tries, from Ross Edwards, Matt Skeet and Antony Soper had reduced the deficit to a single point. The Crusaders could not maintain the momentum and Exmouth ran in two tries to finish them off.

CRUSADERS - 2009/10

17th April 2010 TIVERTON RES 8 CRUSADERS 55
The Crusaders wrapped up their Merit Table campaign and won the League at Tiverton.
60, or more, players have contributed to the Crusaders cause over the season under the guidance of Coach John Lovell and led by Colin Champion. On Saturday Colin had two of his sons in the squad to look after him.
Outside-half Richard Champion opened the scoring for Brixham with a penalty goal and a try. Tiverton replied with a penalty but Brixham had the game won by half-time. Tries by hooker Michael Shears after a 5metre lineout and centre Alex Brown streched the Crusaders lead before prop Matt Skeet scored with a knock-on. The referee, unsighted, thought differently and awarded a try. Brown went clear again before the interval for his second try and with Champion's four conversions the Crusaders turned around with a 36-3 lead.
In the second period Tiverton enjoyed far more of the play, denied the Crusaders the ball and threatened the line on a couple of occasions. The Crusaders finally increased their lead midway though the half when the ball was stolen from a Tiverton rolling maul and James Nash went over for a try. Nash turned provider ten minutes later, putting Brown clear to secure his hat-trick of tries.
Tiverton's hard work was eventually rewarded when their forwards bundled over after a 5 metre lineout but Richard Champion had the last word with the final try for the Crusaders.

10th April 2010 CRUSADERS 37 TORQUAY RES 0
After a threatening start by Torquay the Crusaders went ahead with a Richard Champion penalty goal. There was little between the sides but when Ryan Bradfield got ten minutes rest in the sin-bin the Crusaders pulled ahead. Flanker Jack Clark broke from a scrum to score under the posts and Chapion added the extras. Before the break scrum-half Scott Eaves scored the second try and the Crusaders turned around 15-0 ahead.
In the second period lock Adam Thomas, recovering from injury, added his not inconsiderable presence and weighed in with a rare try, converted by Champion. A break by Matt Dempsey (also coming back from injury) set up winger Sam Dodge to run down the wing from halfway for a try and a second break by Dempsey set up Bradfield for a try. To complete the scoring the Crusaders showed that distance was no barrier and a move started behind their own goal-line terminated adfter several phases with centre Alex Brown touching down.

3rd April 2010 CRUSADERS 13 EXMOUTH RES 24
A try by Hank Hendriksen, converted by Richard Champion, plus two Champion penalties were not enough for the Crusaders who could not pull back a 17-3 half-time deficit and were finally undone in the last minute by Exmouths fouurth try.

20th March 2010 CRUSADERS 46 TIVERTON RES 7
The Crusaders stole into the lead after one minute when scrum-half Andrew Thomas darted away from the first scrum to go over for a try. Within five minutes they increased the lead when Liam Boyd touched down. Tiverton then enjoyed the better of play for around 20 minutes and with the Crusaders scrum creaking the pressure was all on the Brixham line. A converted try brought them back to 10-7 behind. The Crusaders weathered the storm and before the break had added another try by Ryan Bradfield after they ran the ball out of defence.
In the second period the Crusaders got on top but it took almost 15 minutes to get the scoreboard into action. An interception on the 22 enabled Boyd to cross for a second time and within minutes Bradfield also bagged his second try. Both were converted by Josh Fitton. Ben Cotton piled on Tiverton's agony when he broke through the centre for a try, also converted by Fitton.
Two more unconverted tries - by Andrew Thomas and David Champion - rounded off the scoring and keep the Crusaders at the yop of the Merit Table.

13th March 2010 Sidmouth Res 32 Crusaders 35
Tom McLean scored two tries; one apiece for Scott Eaves and Andrew Thomas. Josh Fitton landed three penalties and three conversions.

6th March 2010 Crusaders 20 Paignton Reserves 19
Two tries by Ben Cotton and one from Tim Bumby with a conversion and penalty by Hank Hendricksen were enough for Brixham to scrape home.

20th Feb 2010 Newton Abbot Res 5 Crusaders 22
Brixham took the lead through a Hank Hendricksen penalty goal but a Newton try gave them a 5-3 interval lead. Winger James Nash put Brixham ahead midway through the second period; his try being converted by Hendricksen. Two more tries in the last ten minutes from Jack Clark and Joe Clark, the second converted by Matt Caunter saw Brixham pull clear.

13th Feb 2010 IVYBRIDGE RESERVES 13 CRUSADERS 17
Tries by Alex Brown and Hank Hendricksen who added both conversions and a drop-goal saw the Crusaders through on the somewhat sloping second pitch at Ivybridge. The win keeps them handily poised in the Merit Table

6th Feb 2010 CRUSADERS 31 EXETER UNIVERSITY 5
The rare occasion of a friendly fixture gave Brixham the opportunity to give some of the Colts a run-out with the seniors.
Brixham opened the scoring with a Ross Edwards penalty goal and extended the lead when Tom Maclean raced over in the corner for the opening try. This was followed by a period of pressure by the students but the defence held firm and Brixham extended the lead when Andrew Thomas finished a slick handling move with a try in the left corner.
Exeter University got on the scoreboard when one of their centres chipped over the Brixham backs, caught his own kick and ran in a try. With none of the conversions successful Brixham led 13-5 at the end of a fairly evenly contested first half.
The first ten minutes of the second half saw the crusaders pounding away at the students' line and they were disallowed two tries when the ball was "held up". The third time they got it to ground - prop Darren Levett emerged from the pile with the ball and a smile.
Hank Hendricksen's pace and attacking line took him clear through the defence fot the fourth Brixham try midway through the half. The Exeter lads never gave up and were attacking when Brixham scored their fifth try. It owed more to football than rugby with the ball kicked, chases, kicked, kicked and caught before Jack Clarke grounded it.
Hendricksen ended an entertaining and well-contested match with a drop goal at the end.

23rd Jan 2010 CRUSADERS 15 CULLOMPTON RES 14

12th Dec 2009 Barnstaple Res 19 Crusaders 8
"I m still a bit pissed off we played better but they scored more tries" - Colin Champion
Try: Tim Bumby; Pen Richard Champion

5th Dec 2009 CRUSADERS 8 SIDMOUTH RES 3

21st Nov 2009 Crediton Reserves 5 Crusaders 7
A try by Bryan Crichton, converted by Jack Clark.

7th Nov 2009 PAIGNTON RESERVES 0 CRUSADERS 28
Scorers for Brixham were:
Ross Edwards 2 tries, 4 conversions; Tim Bumby 1 try; Sam Dodge 1 try

31st Oct 2009 CRUSADERS 15 NEWTON ABBOT RES 14
Ross Edwards scored a try and a drop-goal, Jonny Brown a try and conversion

24th Oct 2009 CRUSADERS 48 IVYBRIDGE RES 7
Tries from Mike Shears, Cory Moore, Ross Edwards, Guy Marler (2) and Sam Dodge (2). 5 conversions and a penalty by Jonny Brown.

17th Oct 2009 CRUSADERS 37 OKEHAMPTON 3
The Crusaders kept up the pressure in the Merit table with a fine win over a spirited Okehampton side on Saturday.
The Brixham cause was not aided by the loss of Ryan Bradfield with an ankle injury after just seven minutes. However, the pack generally had the edge over the visitors and when the backs combined they made serious inroads.
Brixham took the lead when winger Guy Marler finished off a move to score a try in the corner. Okehampton then got on the scoreboard with a penalty before Marler again ran down the touchline for a second try. Brixham pressure on the Okehampton line by the forwards failed to get them over but before half-time fullback Dave Langmead got the Crusaders' third try.
In the second period Sam Dodge and James Nash scored tries in quick succession as Brixham pulled clear, Centre Tim Bumby got on the scoresheet midway through the half with Brixham's sixth try.
The final score, fittingly, went to a forward when Sam Thomas was on hand to finish a move started by a break by centre Alex Brown. With only one successful conversion it was not Jonny Brown's best kicking day.
The final quarter of the match yielded no scores with Brixham forced to defend as the Okehampton side looked for some consolation scores.

10th Oct 2009 Cullompton Reserves 47 Crusaders 14

3rd Oct 2009 Exeter Univ. 0 Crusaders 6

26th Sept 2009 Ivybridge Res 6 Crusaders 43
Once again a very young Ivybridge side took to the field, with Captain Simon Ebsworth called up to the 1XV it was Rocky Young who took over this job. Brixham fielded one of the youngest 2XV I can remember seeing for a long time too and it proved to be a very competitive match. ( from Ivybridge website)

Sept 19th 2009 Exmouth Res 23 Crusaders 13
David Langmead scored a try, as did Jonny Brown - who also kicked a penalty.

Sept 12th 2009 CRUSADERS 36 BARNSTAPLE RES 5
Brixham scored most of their points in the first half but the game was won in the second when their defence was unbroken despite fairly continuous pressure.
Brixham were asleep at the start of the game and had scarcely touched the ball when the Barum backs combined to score a try in the corner after less than sixty seconds.
Woken up, they were straight into the attack. Jonny Brown missed a penalty kick but Brixham were soon in the lead. Having forced a Barnstaple defender to ground the ball over the try line Brixham secured the resulting 5m scrum and No 8 Ryan Bradfield powered over from the back of it for the equalising score. Brown added the conversion for the lead.
Ten minutes on the clock and the lead was extended. Full back Matt Dempsey's run was finished off by winger David Langmead - Brown's conversion saw Brixham 14-5 ahead.
In the unseasonable sun the play became more even with neither side able to create much. Barnstaple missed a penalty goal with ten minutes of the first half remaining before Brixham started to put them under increasing pressure. This was rounded off on the stroke of half-time when Langmead went over in the corner for his second try.
In the second period Brixham continued to press the Barum defence - to no avail - before the visitors started to pin them back. Brixham withstood ten minutes pressure and then broke free and put winger Antony Soper clear to cross in the corner and touch down under the posts. An easy conversion for Brown.
With Brixham conceding too many penalties Barnstaple began to enjoy most of the possession and territory but they got little joy from the defense of Brixham. Even a consolation score was denied them and Brixham had the last word when flanker James Agates crossed for a try. Brown's conversion was the last act of the game.

Saturday 5th September 2009 TORQUAY EXTRAS 5 CRUSADERS 43
Four tries from Sam Thomas, a brace from Ben Cotton and one from Antony Soper; plus 4 conversions by Jonny Brown.

CRUSADERS & ALBION - 2008/9

Saturday 25th April 2009 PAIGNTON RESERVES 12 CRUSADERS 20

Saturday 11th April 2009 CRUSADERS 14 BOURNEVILLE 66

Saturday 28th March 2009 CRUSADERS 20 EXMOUTH RESERVES 22
With the First XV away at Yatton the Crusaders and Exmouth Reserves were the main attraction at Astley Park on Saturday. Four tries in the opening 13 minutes set the scene and neither side, or the referee, seemed to know who had won at the end of an exciting, and close-fought game.
Exmouth started at top speed and within three minutes had the lead through a well-worked try. Five minutes later and their lead was 12 points after a second try. Nathan Dallow had missed a penalty for Brixham before this but soon made amends when he was on hand to finish a move with a try. Minutes later he turned provider, putting wing Antony Soper clear to touch down. Unfortunately Dallow's kicking boots were misfiring in the crosswind and neither conversion was successful.
Exmouth extended their lead with a penalty but Brixham were back on level terms at the interval when prop John Laing finished off a period of forward pressure with an unconverted try.
Seven minutes into the second half and Brixham went into the lead when scrum-half Jason Rowe popped up on the right wing to score Brixham's fourth try. Exmouth now concentrated on using the power of their forwards and for much of the half Brixham were compelled to defend. Five minutes camped on the Brixham line brought the try, and conversion, to put them ahead but they were unable to breach the Brixham defence again. Two penalty kicks were the only clearcut scoring chances they got and both went begging.

Saturday 14th March 2009 CRUSADERS 19 TORQUAY EXTRAS 22
With the first team in League action away at Avonmouth the Brixham second string - the Crusaders - held centre stage at Astley Park in a friendly with their Torquay equivalents. Brixham were missing some regular faces but the missed tackles by the Fishermen proved decisive.
Brixham missed the opportunity to go ahead after seven minutes when a penalty attempt went wide but Torquay attacked from the resulting 22 metre drop out and seconds later touched down for the opening, converted, try.
Midway through the first half Brixham were back on level terms midway through the first half when full back Jonny Brown crossed for a try which he also converted.
The parity was short-lived. Two tries in quick succession gave Torquay a 17-7 lead at the break.
After the interval Brixham conceded a fourth try to fall further behind but came back at Torquay late on. Brown notched a second try before winger Antony Soper showed the visitors a clean pair of heels when he crossed the line. Steve Worth's conversion pulled the deficit back to three points but Brixham were unable to make this up in the remaining time.

Saturday 7th March 2009 CRUSADERS 5 BARNSTAPLE 13

Saturday 28th February 2009 CRUSADERS 79 DARTMOUTH 7
Brixham Crusaders met a rather outclassed Dartmouth side on Saturday and had nine different try-scorers; in total they crossed the line thirteen times.
Brixham got off to a racing start when they gathered the kick off. A couple of passes found the ball in the hands of winger James Nash who ran through to the Darts 22. A quick recycle and lock Andy Hawkes crashed over in the corner for the opening try.
Dartmouth pressure then tested the Crusaders' defensive skills but Brixham held firm and extended their lead with tries from centre Dan Grinrod and scrum-half Paul Lidster - both converted by full-back Guy Marler.
Another brief spell of Dartmouth pressure got them points on the board. A neat move by their backs created a gap in the centre and this was duly exploited with a try under the posts and conversion.
Injuries to Dartmouth players and a lack of replacements did not help their cause and Brixham took control. Lidster and winger Tim Bumby both scored tries (converted by Marler) before the forwards, through Ryan Bradfield and Alun Glanvill, rounded off the first half proceedings with unconverted tries.
In the second half Brixham began to run the ball on every opportunity as the visitors tired and added 6 more tries. Ben Cotton, Andy Penhaligon, Nash and Bumby all got on the scoresheet, Lidster completed his hat-trick and either Bradfield or Glanvill (I think) rounded off the touchdowns. Marler got three more conversions.

Saturday 21st February 2009 CRUSADERS 46 IVYBRIDGE RESERVES 5
Brixham Crusaders had far too much class and pace for the Ivybridge side, running in seven tries with both forwards and backs getting onto the scoresheet.
In fairly ideal kicking conditions both sides missed early penalty attempts before Nathan Dallow slotted the posts to give Brixham the lead. Centre Tim Bumby and prop Darren Levett both touched down for tries to extend the Brixham lead but Dallow missed both conversions. On his third attempt he was successful, converting his own try to give Brixham a 20-0 lead at the break.
After the interval the Crusaders were well on top for the first twenty minutes and put the result well beyond doubt. Winger Sam Dodge very nearly got to the corner for a try but was forced into touch. After the resulting line-out centre Ben Cotton finished off the Brixham attack with a try. Dallow added the extras.
Another Brixham attack resulted in a five-metre line-out; lock Andy Hawkes took the ball at the front and three strides to dive over for a try in the corner.
From the restart Brixham gathered the ball, Bumby broke through the centre and hooker Joe Lovell was on hand to cross near the posts. Dallow needed one of the uprights to get the ball over for the conversion.
Two minutes later, with Ivybridge attacking, Hawkes intercepted on his own 22 and broke clear. A much longer run enabled him to touch down under the posts and give Dallow an easy kick.
Twenty minutes remained and Brixham were approaching the half-century but they took their feet off the gas. Ivybridge scored a try to avoid the whitewash and Brixham failed to score again.

Saturday 14th February 2009 Cullompton Res 20 Crusaders 23

Saturday 31st January 2009 CRUSADERS 6 TORQUAY EXTRAS 0

Saturday 10th January 2009 CRUSADERS 23 SIDMOUTH RESERVES 12

Saturday 3rd January 2009 CRUSADERS 27 NEWTON ABBOT 10
ALBION 27 TOTNES 12

Saturday 20th December 2008 DARTMOUTH 0 CRUSADERS 52

Saturday 6th December 2008 CRUSADERS 18 TIVERTON RESERVES 3
Tiverton opened the scoring with a long-range penalty goal in the fourth minute but their lead was short-lived. From the restart Brixham were on the attack and flanker Ross Fletcher went over in the corner for the opening try. Jake Lawrence failed with the conversion. Another Brixham attack seven minutes later and the ball went out through the backs for Dan Grinrod to dash in for the second try in the opposite corner.
Midway through the half the Tiverton pack launched waves of attack on the Brixham line from close range but when the Crusaders eventually cleared their lines they increased their lead through a Lawrence penalty. More pressure from Tiverton only won them a penalty kick but this went wide and Brixham went further ahead when Alex Parrott touched down just before half-time.
The second half brought no further scores. Tiverton seemed determined to use their forwards to batter a way through the Crusaders but made little headway and created no real scoring chances. Brixham's backs looked dangerous on occasions but the best opportunity, midway through the half, went begging. Grinrod had the try-line at his mercy but failed to catch the greasy ball after a neat cross-kick from Lawrence.

Saturday 29th November 2008 NEWTON ABBOT RESERVES 32 CRUSADERS 27
ALBION 46 NEWTON THIRDS 20

Saturday 22nd November 2008 CRUSADERS 15 BARNSTAPLE RESERVES 26
ALBION v OPM III

Friday 14th November 2008 CRUSADERS 28 EXETER UNIVERSITY RESERVES 13
The students gave the Crusaders a shock by playing a game unlike that of any of the normal opponents - attacking at pace from all parts of the field. In the first period Brixham struggled to cope with them. Twice they took the lead with penalty goals; only for the students to reply in kind. A forward drive brought Brixham the opening try but before half-time Exeter had crossed the Brixham line to equalise and the conversion gave them an interval lead.
In the second half the Crusaders coped better with their opponents and enjoyed the best of the play. A try, conversion and penalty eased them ahead before Jake Lawrence applied the coup de grace with a beautiful touchdown; his conversion was the final act of the game.

Saturday 8th November 2008 SIDMOUTH RESERVES 12 CRUSADERS 19
Brixham travelled to Sidmouth with high expectations of recording another victory and although they came away with the points they were forced to work for every point.
Sidmouth started the stronger and forced Brixham to concede a number of penalties and they soon raced into a 12 point lead courtesy of their fly half's Boot. Brixham did attempt to run the ball at every chance they got but could not break through the Sidmouth defence. From a line out in the Sidmouth 22 the Brixham pack drove forward and they were rewarded with a try from prop Matt Skeet crashing over from five yards.
Brixham started the second half strongly and with backs and forwards combining well it was not long before Matt Skeet added his second try of the day bringing Brixham level on points. The second half saw both defences working hard as no further scores were added. With 15 minutes to go Brixham were awarded a penalty try after Sidmouth continually infringing at the breakdown.. The last 10 minutes saw Brixham down to 14 men when replacement Sean Onslow earned a needless yellow card. Brixhams defence managed to hold out and the final score finished 19 to 12 in Brixhams favour.

Saturday 1st November 2008 CRUSADERS 41 PAIGNTON 13
ALBION 7 IVYBRIDGE III 8

Saturday 25th October 2008 TORQUAY EXTRAS 10 CRUSADERS 25
Brixham came away with a well earned victory in this merit table clash. For the first 15 minutes the sides were evenly matched with both defences holding. The first try came from Full Back Chris Harper showing some good football skills by latching on to a kick through and out pacing the Torquay winger. The Brixham backs attempted to try and run the ball at every chance and Adam Chadwick finished of a move that saw the ball spun through the hands to score out wide. Another such move saw Adam grab his second Try and with both converted. Brixham could have been further ahead but Adam missed his hat trick chance by over running a kick through and missing the ball completely on the Try line. Brixham took a 19 - 0 lead at half time.
Torquay started the second half strongly and Forced Brixham on the back foot and were rewarded with a well taken Try. The Penalty count increased for both sides in the second half and Brixham increased their lead to 22-5 . Torquay added another Try which again went unconverted. The final word went to Brixham with another penalty. There were excellent performances from former Torquay player Tom Winfield and centre Mike Slater.
Team manager Keith Walker is pleased with the way Brixham are now playing and believes this is down to the fact that nearly all the squad of around 25 players are now training regularly and with the inclusion of John Lovell on the coaching staff are now reaping the rewards.
ALBION 22 TORQUAY III 51

Saturday 18th October 2008 CRUSADERS 41 TAUNTON II 15
Brixham carried on from last week by scoring early through second row forward Sam Thomas scoring after a forward drive from a line out. Again forwards and backs were working well together which led to winger Peter Chart scoring out wide. The Brixham backs continued to dominate the game and after a sustained period of pressure Jake Lawrence scored with a well worked move through the centre. A further try was added by centre and man of the match Alex Brown. Late in the second half saw the loss of Peter Chart having just returned from a Hamstring injury with suspected Knee ligament damage. Taunton managed to score just before the half time whistle with a quick tap penalty to reduce the deficit to 24-5
The second half saw Taunton raise their game fearing a big loss and they were rewarded with another try. With changes made, Brixham managed to increase their lead with Alex Brown grabbing his second try of the match. Taunton responded well with a sustained period of pressure , forcing Brixham to concede a number of penalties and mistakes and they crossed the line again to reduce Brixham's lead. Brixham finished the stronger with tries from prop Nick Stoneman (his first for 18 months) and a fine individual effort from winger Adam Chadwick.

Saturday 11th October 2008 CRUSADERS 62 CULLOMPTON 10
Brixham finally showed what can be done when the backs receive quality ball from the forwards. Brixham opened their account in the first 5 minutes with 2 tries from winger Dan Grinrod and outside half Jake Lawrence.
With a lead of 12 - 0 Brixham then allowed Cully back into the game with a converted try and a penalty. Brixham upped a gear and with some quality handling the backs added two more scores through Adam Chadwick and another from Dan Grinrod.
The second half saw Brixham dominate up front and allowed the backs to show their skills with notable performances from Alex Brown and Hank Hendrickson. With Brixham attempting to run the ball from virtually every opportunity further tries were added from Dan Grinrod ( to complete his hat trick ) and from man of the match Jason Rowe. Brixham then made a number of changes and continued to apply pressure and ran in a further 4 tries from James Nash, Matt Skeet and 2 from replacement wing Guy Marler. Six of the 10 scores were converted by Jake Lawrence.

Saturday 27th September CRUSADERS 7 LISKEARD-LOOE 10
Antony Soper ran around the Liskeard defence for Brixham's solitary try but the home side struggled to cope with the Cornish pack. Lack of quality ball strangled the Brixham attack. Late on a shoulder-check prevented Soper from retrieving his chip ahead which could have been a match-saver for Brixham.
ALBION 24 TIVERTON 3rds 12

Saturday 20th September BRIXHAM CRUSADERS 25 BARNSTAPLE RESERVES 17
The Crusaders got off to a flying start when winger Antony Soper went over for a try in the second minute. The two sides then traded penalty goals before Paul Lidster crossed for the second Brixham try. James Onslow converted. Before the interval Brixham added two further tries from Nathan Dallow and James Lund and turned around 25-3 ahead.
In the second period Barnstaple were dominant and Brixham were on the back foot. Two converted tries narrowed the gap but the Crusaders held out for the victory.
BRIXHAM ALBION 31 PLYMSTOCK RESERVES 14

Saturday 13th September EXMOUTH RESERVES 29 CRUSADERS 5