BRIXHAM RUGBY CLUB

Match reports from previous seasons - from 2001 onwards

2006/7

Sunday April 29th 2007
Devon Colts Cup Final- BRIXHAM 15 EXETER CHIEFS 22
For the second year running Brixham missed the chance to bring the Devon Colts Cup back to Astley Park – but it was a close run thing and they can count themselves unlucky.
Exeter took the lead early on with two penalties from their outside half Stuart Evans but Brixham were soon on the scoreboard when Jonny Brown dropped a goal. With play swinging from end to end Exeter restored their six point lead with another Evans penalty.
From the restart Brixham were on the attack and winger Anthony Soper was on hand to finish off a move with a try in the corner. Richard Champion missed the conversion. It was now Exeter’s turn to attack and the Brixham defence held firm as the visitors pressed close to the line but, having withstood the pressure, Brixham were caught offside and Evans slotted his fourth penalty for Exeter.
A period of Brixham offense then developed but Brixham were forced to make adjustments when No8 Aurin Parham left the field with a shoulder injury. Shortly after a quickly taken tap penalty enabled captain Joe Lovell to cross for a try. Champion’s conversion with the last kick of the half saw Brixham turn around 15-12 ahead.
Five minutes into the second period Exeter got back on level terms – Brixham caught offside – Evans with the penalty. With the defences on top play continued to go from end to end. Brixham soaked up a sustained period of pressure from Exeter before a lengthy intermission. Exeter winger Mike Darch went down in a tackle and thirty minutes of treatment ensued before he left the field in an ambulance.
Eight minutes left on the watch and the visitors restarted on the attack. Brixham held firm but a debatable penalty for a high tackle looked to have given Exeter a winning kick at goal. Instead a tap penalty and a try – converted by Evans’ sure foot – and a seven point margin. Brixham could do nothing in the four minutes remaining and the cup had flown the coop.
Sunday April 22nd 2007
Under 15s Devon Plate Final- BRIXHAM 30 TAVISTOCK 7
Another good all-round performance, capped off with a hat-trick of tries by Guy Armitage, brought the Devon Under 15s Plate back to Brixham on Sunday. To win it they had to travel to Exeter and enjoy the facilities of the new Sandy Park Stadium.
During the opening exchanges both teams showed signs of nerves and were guilty of making mistakes but Brixham settled more quickly and opened the scoring when Guy Armitage crossed for a try in the corner. From that point they never looked back or in any trouble. Two penalty goals from Josh Fitton saw them through to an 11-0 interval lead.
After the break Armitage scored another try, converted by Fitton, to increase the lead before Joe Brooks made the game safe for the young Fishermen As Brixham relaxed, Tavistock began to get back into the game and reduced the arrears with a converted try before Armitage sealed their fate with his third try.
Armitage’s tries were not enough to earn him the Man of the Match – that honour went to Tom McLean.
Brixham had warmed up for their final with a short tour to South Wales last weekend when they had an opportunity to view another rugby ground – the Cardiff Millenium Stadium – and play against some leading Welsh teams. Brixham lost to Dinas Powys, the West Wales champions, 25-7 and came third in a tournament but these games provided valuable experience.
Next weekend Brixham have two important end-of-season fixtures. On Saturday the First XV travel to Bournemouth for a promotion play-off for the vacant spot in South West One.
On Sunday afternoon attention will be back at Astley Park for the final of the Devon Colts Cup when Brixham will face Exeter Chiefs in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Sunday April 15th 2007
BRIXHAM COLTS 16 SIDMOUTH COLTS 12
Having won the South & West Merit Table, the prize for the Colts was a semi-final place in the Devon Colts Cup. Their opponents on Sunday – Sidmouth – were runners up in the North& East Table so a full-blooded encounter between two fairly evenly matched teams was on the cards.
The first scoring opportunity fell to the visitors after five minutes but the penalty attempt went wide and the game settled down into an intriguing battle as both sides sought to impose themselves. Midway through the first half Brixham began to put some pressure on with a series of scrums and lineouts close to the Sidmouth line. From the last of these a rolling maul developed and Brixham’s captain – hooker Joe Lovell – peeled off to dive over for a try. Jonny Brown added the conversion from the touchline.
Sidmouth enjoyed more possession and territorial advantage as the half went on but could find no way though and at the interval trailed 7-0.
Brixham had the marginal advantage of the slope in the second half and extended their lead five minutes in with a penalty from Brown. This early setback spurred Sidmouth who soon got themselves on the scoreboard. A rolling maul trundled over 30 metres towards the Brixham line and was finished off with a try. The conversion was missed but it was now game-on.
Both sides threw everything into attack but the defences held up well. Brixham extended their lead when Brown unexpectedly dropped a goal and took the margin up to 11 points minutes later when he slotted his second penalty. Sidmouth struck back with a converted penalty to set up a tense last five minutes but it was Brixham on the attack when the final whistle blew.
Brixham will, for the second year running, host the final of the Devon Colts Cup. This will take place on Sunday April 29 when the opposition will be Exeter – who narrowly beat Teignmouth in the other semi-final.
Saturday April 14th 2007
BRIXHAM 19 TAUNTON 32
Taunton visited Brixham knowing that they needed to win to avoid being relegated and their team was boosted by the presence of some “irregulars”. They have had a number of Fijians on their books all season but they have often been unavailable. On Saturday they made the difference.
Brixham started strongly and only a last minute tackle prevented winger Peter Chart giving them the lead in the second minute. Further attacks soon brought fruit when lock Adam Thomas went over for a try. With Taunton having two men sin-binned shortly afterwards Brixham failed to make the numerical advantage count and Taunton scored a try, and conversion, that put them ahead. Brixham regained the lead midway through the half when a chip-kick over the defence was reclaimed by Chart and fullback Steve Worth finished off by crossing the line. Ben Lovell added the conversion.
Taunton now began to but Brixham under sustained pressure and drew level just before half-time with their second try.
The second half saw Taunton continue to press for the victory they needed. A penalty, a converted try and another penalty put them 25-12 ahead with fifteen minutes remaining. Brixham now began to get back into the match and a foray into the Taunton half yielded a 5 metre lineout. A catch and drive was finished off by Chris Dorling touching down for a try. From the touchline Lovell added the conversion. Brixham now began to exert more pressure on the Taunton defence in search of the match-winning try. It did not come, however, and in the dying minutes Taunton ran the ball out of defence before finishing off at the other end with a match-winner of their own.
Taunton deserved the win on the day but Brixham have a more important game to come on April 28 when they travel to Bournemouth for a promotion play-off.
Saturday April 7th 2007
BRIXHAM 101 TOURING TEAMS 22
Brixham’s senior players enjoyed the Saturday sunshine by hosting touring sides from Canvey Island and Lichfield. With some players being rested, injured or otherwise unavailable all three Brixham teams had a mix ‘n match quality to them.
BRIXHAM ALBION 19 CANVEY ISLAND “B” 10
Brixham Albion took the field at noon and had the closest match. All of the scoring took place in the first half.
BRIXHAM RESERVES 46 CANVEY ISLAND “A” 12
Veteran Paul Bayley made a comeback in this match in a new position – that of scrum-half while lock-forward Andy Hawkes also tried out in a new position – at centre.
Up front the sides were fairly evenly matched but Brixham had too much pace and guile for the visitors and three converted tries and a dropped goal gave them a 24-0 interval lead. Another try followed immediately after the restart but the islanders then enjoyed their best period of the game. Attacking the Brixham line their forwards drove over from a tap-penalty and ten minutes later a loopy pass in midfield was intercepted for a second try. Having conceded two scores Brixham finished off in style with three more tries in quick succession before the referee blew time early to allow the tourists extra drinking time.
BRIXHAM 36 LICHFIELD 0
The scoreline suggests a more one-sided contest than was actually the case but Brixham had the game won by half-time. Lock forward Chris Dorling opened the scoring after just three minutes with a powerful run; stretching to touch down as the defence pulled him down. Brixham continued to press and midway through the half the forwards combined to catch and drive over from a 5 metre lineout.
With half-time looming Brixham put the game out of Lichfield’s grasp with three more tries in quick succession. A run by winger Paul Lidster was finished off by full-back Steve Worth and they were followed on to the scoresheet by flanker Dan Ritson and centre James Otutaha. Outside half Ben Lovell converted the last two tries for a 29-0 interval lead.
In the second period Brixham made a number of substitutions and the game was more evenly contested. Brixham could only cross the tourists line once more when a run by centre Jared Stanford was finished off with a try by Lovell. Rather than taking the conversion himself the duty fell to Chris Dorling. He duly took the Brixham points tally over the century but the kick was neither as long, or difficult, as it will have been when he retells the story.

Next week Brixham have their final league game of the season when Taunton visit Astley Park on Saturday. The following (Sunday) afternoon the Colts are in Devon Cup semi-final action against Sidmouth. Both games promise to be exciting encounters.

Wednesday April 4th 2007
BRIXHAM COLTS 17 TORQUAY COLTS 5
Having cancelled the planned fixture on Saturday due to the lack of a referee, this game was rearranged at short notice to enable the sides to complete their Merit Table matches.
Brixham were on top from the kick off and kept play in the Torquay half. Within ten minutes they had taken the lead through a Richard Champion penalty goal. Further pressure brought another penalty, but this went wide, and on two occasions Brixham were denied tries by the Torquay defence when just metres from the line.
Brixham were having the best of it but Torquay also had their moments and with five minutes of the first half remaining went into the lead. A five metre lineout gave their pack the opportunity to catch the ball and drive over for a try; the conversion attempt failed. Their lead was short-lived. In the time remaining Brixham resumed their offensive and the boot of Champion kicked two more penalties. A 9-5 interval lead was, perhaps, less than Brixham deserved.
In the second half the heavy Torquay pack continued to cause Brixham problems and the play went from end to end. With both teams’ defence holding firm there were few clear-cut scoring opportunities. Brixham extended their lead with Champion’s fourth penalty goal and eventually made the game safe with a try ten minutes from time. A long kick down the right touchline caught the Torquay defence out and Brixham secured the ball in the corner for Sam Dodge (?) to dive over.
Brixham Colts can now look forward to the semi-final of the Devon Colts Cup and will play Sidmouth on Sunday April 15 at Astley Park
Saturday March 31st 2007
TORQUAY 10 BRIXHAM 13
Brixham booked their place in the promotion play-offs with a positive second-half performance against the only side capable of stopping them.
Having been caught cold by Newton last week, and needing to beat Brixham, Torquay started the game at high speed and dominated the proceedings in the first half. With a gusty wind behind them Torquay were camped in the Brixham half for virtually all of the first period.
Their first scoring opportunity came after eight minutes – a penalty in front of the posts. Despair for the home support as it went wide. Four minutes later and another penalty attempt – wide out on the left – went through the posts and Torquay were deservedly in front. Another four minutes and another penalty was missed but Torquay were well on top. They soon extended their lead when a chip kick through was fumbled by Brixham and the Torquay player following up had only to fall on it for a try. A successful conversion meant that Brixham were ten points adrift with only twenty minutes played.
Torquay continued to dominate and only resolute defence kept them at bay. Another penalty attempt was missed before halftime but Torquay had kept Brixham under the cosh and turned around confident of victory.
The second half was a different story. Although the wind had abated Torquay were struggling to get out of their own half. In the set pieces Brixham were no longer suffering but began to get on top. Pounding by the forwards and runs by the backs failed to penetrate the Torquay defence and two penalty goals were missed by Brixham in the first twenty minutes of the second half. On the third occasion outside-half Ben Lovell slotted the kick to give Brixham points on the scoreboard. From the restart Brixham were back on the attack. A scrum in midfield, a break by scrum-half Mark Harvey and the ball passed out to winger Adam Chadwick. With space and pace to spare he touched down under the posts and Lovell had an easy conversion to level the scores.
Fifteen minutes on the watch and all to play for. Torquay made incursions into the Brixham half and missed two more penalties. Brixham came back and took the lead with a penalty by Lovell. Brixham missed another penalty – as did Torquay – before the final whistle brought celebration to that half of the crowd that had travelled over to see the game.
BRIXHAM RESERVES 3 TORQUAY RESERVES 29
There is no truth in the rumour that this defeat was the responsibility of replacement Michael Shears. If Sean had scored some points it could all have been very different!
TORQUAY THIRDS 43 BRIXHAM ALBION 37

Saturday March 24th 2007
With no First XV fixture this week the rugby action at Astley Park was restricted to friendlies on Saturday
BRIXHAM RESERVES 72 WINSLOW 5
Brixham’s second string had far too much pace and power for their Buckinghamshire visitors and ran in twelve tries in a one-sided match that the referee mercifully cut short.
Peter Chart grabbed two tries on his return to Astley Park. Sean Onslow also touched down for a brace (to add to his five conversions) the rest being shared out by the rest of the team.
BRIXHAM ALBION 22 TEIGNMOUTH RESERVES 0
Brixham were on top for much of the first half but could only score once – a try for Roger Chadwick. In the second period Teignmouth had much more of the play but were held out by the Albion defence. Having only a five point lead Brixham weathered the storm and extended their lead with two further tries from winger Aaron Manning and replacement scrum-half Jason Rowe. Chadwick converted the first of these.
In the last move of the game another replacement - Jason Ellis - added the coup de grace with his second try of the afternoon – having earlier crossed the line for the Reserves.
IVYBRIDGE COLTS 10 BRIXHAM COLTS 25
A below-strength Colts team recorded another Merit Table victory on Saturday which virtually ensures them a place in the Devon Colts Cup semi-finals. In the first half, aided by the wind and slope, they built a healthy lead which they were able to defend in the second period.
On Sunday the Brixham Under 15s were in action at Astley Park – in the semi-finals of the Devon Plate
BRIXHAM 37 EXMOUTH 5
A tight first half saw play swing from end to end but Brixham made the most of the opportunities. A try from Josh Fitton and a penalty goal from Cody Dyer earned them an 8-0 interval lead.
In the second half the Brixham pack began to get on top and create more opportunities for the backs. They stretched away with two tries for Guy Armitage and one each from Charlie Hawkins and Joe Brooks. Fitton slotted three conversions and a penalty.
An unconverted try was the only Exmouth riposte as the steadily improving Brixham squad booked their place in the Final – due to take place at Teignmouth in four weeks time. Tom McLean did not make it onto the scoresheet but was awarded the Man of the Match.
Saturday March 17th 2007
CAMBORNE 18 BRIXHAM 15
BRIXHAM RESERVES 24 TIVERTON RESERVES 14
Brixham Reserves maintained their challenge to defend the Devon One Merit Table Championship on Saturday with their thirteenth win of the campaign.
Tiverton, with the advantage of the slope and the wind, were slightly on top in the early exchanges but went behind after 25 minutes when Brixham’s fullback Sean Onslow went over for a try. Having got the lead, Brixham began to get on top but could not extend their lead before the interval.
Five minutes into the second half, with Tiverton attacking, Brixham stole the ball on halfway and passed quickly out to winger Tim Bumby who had enough pace to touch down under the posts. An easy conversion for Onslow ensued. Three minutes later and Bumby again finished off a move in the same manner; Onslow repeating the conversion and a five point interval lead was up to 19 points.
Tiverton now began to get back into the game and their forward pressure soon resulted in a converted try. Another one followed and the Brixham lead was back down to five points with a quarter of an hour to play. Having let things slip Brixham finished the game off with their fourth try. An attack down the right was stopped inches short of the line but the ball was quickly recycled and passed across the pitch for Luke Maggs to score in the left corner.
When Colin Champion took the field as a replacement prop he made a bit of history. On the pitch already was his son Richard at outside half. This is the first time for many years that a father and son have played together in the Brixham colours.
Saturday March 10th 2007
BRIXHAM 27 CHELTENHAM NORTH 10
Brixham reinforced their second place in the League with a solid, if unexciting win over mid-table opposition. The Fishermen had enough of the game to have won much more comfortably but were let down by handling errors.
Cheltenham had the opportunity to take the lead in the first minute but their penalty attempt went wide. A similar fate awaited Brixham when Matt Dempsey had a shot at goal. With the wind and the slope in their favour the visitors had Brixham penned back in the early stages and took the lead with a penalty goal midway through the half.
With their pack playing well Brixham launched a series of attacks and shortly before half-time took the lead. A break by scrum-half Mark Harvey split the defence and flanker Dan Ritson was on hand to crash over for a try; Dempsey adding the conversion. The lead was short-lived. Another Brixham attack minutes later broke down in midfield and the Cheltenham centre picked up the loose ball. From halfway he went through to touch down under the posts to give an easy conversion and a 10-7 lead to the visitors.
A minute into the second period and Brixham were back on level terms when Dempsey slotted a penalty. As the second period proceeded Brixham’s pack began to dominate but their attacking efforts were largely in vain. Midway through the half the stalemate was broken when Chris Dorling broke free from a ruck in midfield and centre James Otutaha finished off the move with an unconverted try.
Brixham were well on top but the five point lead was precarious. Not until five minutes from the end was it extended. A run by prop Lee Squire was finished off with a try by flanker Shane Poynton, again unconverted, but Brixham had saved the best until the end.
In time added on Dorling again made a break and hooker Dan Stead received the ball 20 metres out. A neat (but unexpected) chip kick over the defence; a kindly bounce and he regathered it to dive over for a try. Dempsey added the conversion and Brixham were home and dry.

Both the Reserves and Colts were in Merit Table action on Saturday and secured victories that keep them at the top of their Leagues.
Brixham Reserves 29 Crediton 20
Tavistock Colts 7 Brixham Colts 34

On Sunday the under 15’s graced the main pitch in a Devon Plate Quarter-Final tie

Brixham 17 Tiverton 8

Two well-matched sides provided an exciting encounter in the spring sunshine. Brixham took the lead early on from a tap penalty 15 metres out when prop Charlie Hawkins crashed over for a try. With neither side able to dominate, play went from end to end and Tiverton narrowed the gap before half-time with a penalty goal.
In the second half the visitors went ahead with a try but it was still anyone’s game and the young fishermen came back strongly. A series of rucks and mauls took them steadily from the halfway line towards the goal and Hawkins rounded it off with his second try. Tiverton, now two points behind, threw everything into attack but when when one move broke down on the halfway line Brixham were able to counter-attack. Full back Cody Dyer started it off and Brixham went down the left wing. Josh Fitton rounded off the move with a try; Dyer added the conversion.
In a good team display it was extremely difficult to single out any outstanding performance. Among the forwards the front row – Hawkins, Sam Onslow and Steven Bryant – played particularly well but flanker Richard Brennan got the nod as Man of the Match.
Brixham will face Exmouth or Okehampton in the semi-finals in two weeks time.
Saturday March 3rd 2007 - BRIXHAM COLTS 18 PAIGNTON DEVELOPMENT XV 5
Saturday February 24th 2007 - CONEY HILL 57 BRIXHAM 6
Saturday February 17th 2007 - BRIXHAM 25 EXMOUTH 3
Brixham failed to impress in their last two outings and Exmouth are always tough opponents so Saturday’s League clash in the mud and rain of Astley Park was not one that the Brixham faithful looked forward to with relish.

Given the conditions the match was never going to be a feast of running rugby but it was a vastly improved performance by the Fishermen.

Brixham opened strongly and had a very early opportunity to get ahead - but Matthew Dempsey’s penalty attempt went wide. Exmouth, playing to their forward strength, then began to get on top and for 15 minutes had Brixham penned back into their own half. The pressure finally brought them a penalty in front of the posts and an easily kicked three point lead.
From the restart Brixham were a changed side. For the remainder of the match they were able to contain the threat of the Exmouth pack. Brixham went onto the offensive and although, initially, their attacks were halted, they got onto the scoreboard when outside half Ben Lovell squeezed over for a try in the corner. Dempsey kicked the difficult conversion. With Brixham now getting on top of the Cockles they received further reward before half time through a Dempsey penalty and turned around 10-3 ahead. At half-time they changed shirts - red in place of black.
Brixham played down the slope in the second half but the slippery conditions made life difficult for both sides. They soon extended their lead with another Dempsey penalty. Having got to grips with the Exmouth forwards Brixham now began to show the power of their own pack. Ten minutes into the half a forward drive put flanker Shane Poynton over for a try; Dempsey adding the extras.
Further pressure from Brixham brought a third try when winger Paul Lidster went over in the corner and though Dempsey missed the conversion Brixham now had the match won. Exmouth rallied somewhat in the final stages but were well contained by the Brixham defence and at the final whistle both sides were pleased to wash the mud away.
The result leaves Brixham in second place in the League – four points clear of Torquay with five games to play. Next week Brixham face the toughest test of their season – away to League leaders Coney Hill in Gloucester.
Sunday February 11th 2007 - BRIXHAM 5 NEWTON ABBOT 15 - DEVON CUP Q/F
Brixham have not won the Devon Cup for over 70 years and will not do so this year. A below par performance on Sunday in the quarter-final put an end to their chances and they will now have to concentrate all their efforts on the remaining League matches.
Newton weren’t brilliant either but showed more commitment and made fewer errors than the Fishermen.
In the opening minutes Newton came very close to opening the scoring as they pressed the Brixham line but the Fishermen weathered the storm and began to mount attacks of their own. Twelve minutes in Newton took the lead with a penalty goal and soon extended it with an unconverted try. A poor clearance kick by Brixham enabling the Newton backs to combine for a try near the corner.
With the strong wind and slope in their favour the visitors had the edge in the first half though Brixham did put them under pressure at times.
In the second half Brixham failed to make much use of the wind and were penned into their own half by Newton who concentrated on using their forwards to gain yardage. Several phases of forward driving midway through the half resulted in a second try and the conversion put Brixham 15 points behind and needing at least three scores.
Although they came close to the try-line on several occasions they could find no way through the defence. Only in injury time did they get on the scoreboard. A typical run by fullback Matthew Dempsey was finished off by winger Paul Lidster with a try in the corner. Dempsey’s unsuccessful conversion attempt was the cue for the final whistle and the death-knell for Brixham’s Devon Cup dreams.

Brixham Colts 22 Wiveliscombe Colts 5

On Saturday Brixham Colts had a break from Merit Table matches with a friendly against Wiveliscombe. A try by fullback Nathan Dallow gave them an early lead, extended by another from winger Antony Soper midway through the first half, converted by Richard Champion. The visitors then replied with a try from a forward drive but Brixham had a 12-5 lead at the break.
Play in the second half went from end to end though Brixham enjoyed somewhat more of the possession and territory. Dallow scored his second try at the beginning of the half and the victory was sealed with a try in the closing minutes by Greg Warren
Saturday February 3rd 2007 - HORNETS 27 BRIXHAM 5
Brixham remain in second position in the League but this result was not one that they wanted and also not one they want to repeat.
For the first 20 minutes Brixham didn’t touch the ball - except to drop out after Hornets scored the first of their five tries. A mix up in the Brixham defence allowed an easy run in for the Hornets winger to score in the corner. Brixham went further behind in the 25 minute to a converted try and another try before halftime saw the Fishermen trailing 17-0.
Brixham started the second half with more resolve but were caught by a dash down the right wing. The resulting try was followed by another a few minutes later and with the score 27-0 the game was gone for Brixham.
In the closing minutes Brixham eventually got on the score sheet following a series of scrums when scrum-half Mark Harvey dived over to make the final score 27-5.
Brixham did dominate one area, and that was the line out, but their inability to retain possession, missed tackles and basic errors cost them dear and were compounded by the number of penalties conceded.
Back at Astley Park the Colts played Kingsbridge in a Merit Table match. All the points were scored in the first half and Brixham won 27-7.

Brixham Albion also had a Merit Table match – away against Kingsbridge. At half time they trailed by 24 points to but started to play rugby in the second period and returned 38-24 victors.

Saturday January 27th 2007 - BRIXHAM 19 NEWTON ABBOT 6
An intriguing, if not exciting, local derby on Saturday saw the Fishermen complete the double over the All Whites and strengthen their position as joint leaders of the South West 2 West league.
Brixham got their noses in front after just five minutes when skipper Matthew Dempsey kicked a penalty goal. Newton retaliated by attacking the Brixham line but when the Fishermen cleared their lines and launched an attack of their own they were rewarded with a second penalty from Dempsey’s boot.
The first half then developed into an end-to-end contest but with neither side able to create any clear-cut scoring chances. As the opening period began to draw to a close Newton were enjoying more territorial advantage and levelled the scores with two penalty goals.
At half-time with the score 6-6 there was everything to play for and the first 15 minutes of the second half saw Brixham well on top and they came close to breaching the Newton defence a couple of times. Close to the line but not across it though they were rewarded for their efforts with two more penalties from Dempsey.
The final quarter of the match was less intriguing for the home support and far more nerve wracking as Newton exerted almost continuous pressure on the Brixham line. Time and again the visiting forwards drove forward with the ball to be halted by the black wall of the Brixham defence and as the game entered injury time their efforts became more ferocious.
Brixham got the ball and outside half Ben Lovell sent a clearance kick downfield. Centre Jake Lawrence regathered the ball and set off for the line with the Newton defence in chase and just had the legs to reach the line for a try. Dempsey added the conversion and there was still time left for a restart – but not enough time for Newton to score and relief all round at Astley Park.
Over at Newton Abbot the Reserves had a similarly tense struggle returning victorious by 12 points to 10. The Colts, also at Newton, ran away with the match in a 61-0 win.

Wednesday January 24th 2007 - BRIXHAM COLTS v BRITANNIA RNC
Saturday January 20th 2007 - BRIXHAM COLTS 8 TEIGNMOUTH COLTS 14

Brixham can have few complaints about the result of this Merit Table match. Teignmouth were often faster thinking than their hosts while Brixham’s kicking game let them down.
Brixham started brightly and were on top in the opening exchanges. Two half chances could have led to the opening score bu went begging and Teignmouth began to get back into the game. They took the lead midway through the first half. Spinning the ball out their centre took it at pace and broke through the middle of the Brixham defence and several missed tackles to score a try under the posts and an easy conversion.
For the remainder of the first half the play was mainly in the Brixham half. With the wind against them Brixham made little ground with clearance kicks – if they actually found touch – and were forced to defend their line. Only at the end of the half did Brixham mount any serious pressure of their own.
With the wind in their favour Brixham might have expected to exert more pressure in the second period but found themselves being driven back from the outset.
Against the run of play Brixham got on the scoreboard. When a Teignmouth attack broke down in the Brixham 22 the ball went loose and prop Sam Dodge picked it up and set out on a run that was to take him all the way to the try line. With the conversion missed Brixham were now just two points adrift.
Teignmouth returned to the attack but Brixham, eventually, made progress and began to threaten to score again. After a series of attacks Brixham were rewarded with a penalty from the boot of Richard Champion and had the lead.
It was short-lived. Teignmouth were again pressing the Brixham line and when Brixham were caught offside a quick tap penalty, a short pass, and Teignmouth went over for a second converted try.
With the game swinging from end to end in the closing minutes the match could have gone either way but the final whistle joy and relief was Teignmouth’s.
Saturday January 13th 2007 - PENRYN 20 BRIXHAM 23
Brixham climbed into second position in the league with a victory over basement club Penryn. Penryn won the toss and elected to play uphill but with the strong to gale force wind behind them. These conditions allowed Penryn to dictate the early pace, possession, pressure and direction of the game.
Eight minutes into the game Brixham were penalised for not releasing and the Penryn fullback Ian Morgan kicked a penalty to put them three points up.
Ten minutes later, following a series of penalties, Brixham gave away an easy try from centre Charlie Ross who went in near the posts to give Morgan an easy kick to add seven points to the Penryn total.
Brixham went further behind when they gave away a penalty for not releasing which Morgan kicked to make it 13-0 to Penryn. At last Brixham woke up to the conditions and began to keep the ball in hand. They took the ball down hill and were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Skipper and fullback Mathew Dempsey kicked the penalty goal to get them on the scoreboard.
Ten points adrift and with halftime approaching Brixham were pressing forward in attack. When the ball was dropped in the centre Penryn capitalised on the error and moved the ball quickly to the right wing and their captain Chris Mann beat two tackles to score near the posts allowing an easy conversation and a 20 points to 3 lead at halftime which was something more than they really deserved.
Brixham opened the second half with the wind now at their backs and were soon pressing the Penryn line. Brixham won a short lineout and drove No 5 Chris Dorling over for a try to reduce Penryn’s lead and narrowed the gap still further when Dempsey kicked a penalty after Penryn came off side.
Brixham were now just nine points behind but were getting on top and winning turnovers. One of these allowed Brixham to move the ball quickly out for Dempsey, coming into the line at pace, to go over for a try which he himself converted.
Brixham were now just two points behind and with plenty of time still on the refs watch. With all of the play now taking place in the homesters 22, Brixham were creating the chances. When they won a ruck it allowed Dorling to throw out a long overhead pass to winger Adam Chadwick. Eluding the defence he scored the try to give Brixham the lead for the first time
With light fading fast and 10 minutes injury time being played Brixham kept control of the ball to win the game 23-20.
BRIXHAM RESERVES 12 BRIDGWATER & ALBION UNITED 34
Back at Astley Park the Reserves suffered a rare reverse when they entertained Bridgwater’s reserve side. Brixham went behind early on to a penalty goal but got their noses in front when scrumhalf Sean Onslow surprised everybody when he intercepted a pass by the visitors’ No 8 and scampered through under the posts for a try which was converted by Jason Ellis. Although Brixham pressed the Bridgwater defence they could find no way through. Bridgwater now began to use their forward power and scored two unconverted tries before halftime. After the break they scored three more tries – all converted – but Brixham never gave up and eventually their backs combined to show what they could do. The ball spun out to winger James Hunt - who caught it and showed that he could pass it too – back to Onslow in support; who went over in the corner for the final score.

Brixham Albion went down to 27-24 to Honiton Reserves in a very entertaining merit table match which they might easily have won. The Colts had no game.

Saturday January 6th 2007 - BRIXHAM w/o SPARTANS
Despite previous assurances that they would be coming, Spartans cried off on Friday leaving Brixham with the two points - but no game.
The Reserves and Colts fixtures were also cancelled as the pitches at Redruth were waterlogged.
PAIGNTON RESERVES 25 BRIXHAM ALBION 10
Saturday December 30th 2006 - BRIXHAM 12 WESTCOUNTRY WARRIORS 22
Heavy rain an hour before kick-off nearly led to the game being called off but both teams were keen to play a match before the season restarts in earnest. Brixham loaned Warriors a prop – Matthew Skeet – as they were short of front-row players.
Brixham played into the strong, blustery, wind in the first half and for six minutes were well on top. They then went behind when their three-quarters fumbled and the Warriors’ fly-half toe-poked the loose ball and won the race to touch down for a try.
After the restart Brixham found themselves under continuous pressure and a rolling maul by the visitors took them over the line – the try scored by Skeet.
The next restart failed to go 10 metres, Warriors won the scrum on the halfway line and their No 8 and flankers combined to run in a try under the posts for an easy conversion. Seventeen minutes on the clock and Brixham were as many points behind.
With the wind at their backs the Warriors dominated the remainder of the first half but were unable to add to their lead as the Brixham defence held firm against almost constant pressure.
Brixham made a number of changes to their lineup for the second half and these, with the advantage of the slope and the wind, combined to make for a better performance. Warriors had been keen to test their defence in this match and Brixham duly obliged them by plugging away at it. Just after the midpoint of the second half Brixham gained their reward when Jake Lawrence intercepted a pass as the Warriors tried to run the ball out of defence and went through to score a try. Ross Edwards added the conversion.
Brixham maintained the pressure as the weather deteriorated but Warriors began to claw their way back into the match and scored their fourth try when a rolling maul following a lineout trundled over the Brixham line – Skeet for the second time was credited with the touchdown.
Brixham replied in kind with the last move of the match before both sets of players retreated to the warmth and dry of the clubhouse.
Tuesday December 26th 2006 - CLUB XV v PRESIDENT'S XV
Saturday December 23rd 2006 - TEIGNMOUTH 13 BRIXHAM RESERVES 31
Teignmouth are joint leaders of Devon One and on Saturday they entertained the side that their coach Richard Burden coached last season. Brixham Reserves, who are now coached by Jason Hart and James Irvine, had too much power and skill for their hosts.
Brixham opened the scoring with a well worked back movement which saw Jake Lawrence playing in the centre burst through to score a try. Within minutes another flowing move saw full-back Alex Brown go in for a try converted by centre, and captain, Jason Ellis to make it 12-0. Teignmouth got on the scoreboard when Brixham were penalised for not releasing and their winger Dan Force kicked the penalty.
Teignmouth stole a Brixham line out inside their 22 only to see the pass go straight into the hands of Brixham outside half Ross Edwards who went in under the posts to give Ellis an easy conversion to make it 19-3 at the break.
Virtually from the kick off Brixham were penalised for killing the ball. Force kicked his second penalty but Brixham went straight back on the attack. They forced Teignmouth into errors; one of which resulted in a penalty kick into the corner. Lock James Lund won the resulting line out from which he was driven over for a try which went unconverted. Teignmouth refused to lie down and came back at Brixham. Centre Chris Tidman ended a good move by going over for a try; converted with a fine kick by Force. Brixham hit back immediately with an excellent three-quarter move which Edwards ended with a try to allow Ellis an easy kick.
Brixham will be very happy with this result - Michael Beeson playing his first game for 14 weeks came through unscathed. The selectors also had a look at Jake Lawrence, playing in the centre, and Chris Dorling, who is being tried at No 8 to replace Clinton Dyer who has returned home to NZ.. A player who showed great promise was 18 year old Ross Edwards playing in the number 10 shirt.
BRIXHAM ALBION 13 TEIGNMOUTH RESERVES 13
At Astley Park the Brixham third team – Brixham Albion – also played Teignmouth, but their Reserves. Christmas came two days early for the Albion as they had their new shirts – sponsored by Darby & Darby.
The match itself was less full of festive cheer and neither side was able to create many scoring opportunities. Midway through the second half two penalties from Brixham’s Roger Chadwick and two in reply from Teignmouth were all that the scorer had to worry about – though Teignmouth had had a try disallowed. Brixham then took the lead thanks to a long, and mazy, run by Michael Skeet. His try under the posts gave Chadwick an easy conversion. From the restart Teignmouth were straight back on the attack when Brixham fumbled the ball and scored a converted try to level the scores.
Saturday December 16th 2006 - ST MARY'S OLD BOYS 12 BRIXHAM 17
Brixham started the second-half of the League season with a difficult trip to Bristol. When the two sides met earlier in the season it was apparent that the Old Boys had a dangerous set of backs and on their own pitch would be hard to handle.
Brixham kicked off with the wind and sun in their favour but for the next 10 minutes they never had the ball and the Brixham supporters were wondering whether this was going to be another of those days. St Marys pounded the Brixham line and eventually they created space on the left for their outside half to go over for a try. Fullback Franco Van de Merwe.converted to give them an early lead.
Brixham refused to let this setback panic them and gradually started to take control in the centre of the park. With 20 minutes gone Brixham won a ruck on the 22. They drew the St Mary’s defence to the left and then to the right before centre Hank Hendricksen squeezed over in the corner. Fullback, and captain, Matt Dempsey converted from the touchline to draw the scores level.
With the last move of the first half Brixham created space on the left for No 8 Clinton Dyer to score which Dempsey converted to make it 14-7 to Brixham at the break.
Ten minutes into the second half Dempsey increased the lead when he kicked a penalty when St Marys were penalised for holding on.
Brixham were on the attack when they dropped the ball - only to see it hoofed up the pitch and into touch just inside the Brixham 22 Brixham lost their own line out which allowed St Marys space for one of their forwards to go over for a try. With the conversion missed the Brixham lead was down to five points but the fishermen held out to the final whistle.
The second half will be remembered for the number of penalties (12) that St Marys gave away and the number of line outs that Brixham lost on their own ball (10).
Clinton Dyer played his last game for Brixham before going home to NZ to continue his University course. Clinton has been a great servant to Brixham and we wish him well.
Sidmouth were unable to raise a team so the Reserves game at Astley Park was cancelled. The other two senior sides were both in Merit Table action away from home against Devonport Services.
Brixham Albion sprang something of a surprise on the Services Reserves, winning 26-20.
The Colts started slowly and were 7-3 down at half-time but after the break ran in four tries through Grinrod, Dodge , Warren and Champion. Three conversions from Champion’s boot – plus his first-half penalty – saw Brixham run out 29-7 victors.
Saturday December 9th 2006 - BRIXHAM COLTS 20 TAVISTOCK COLTS 13
With almost half of their regular team unavailable Brixham were forced to ring some changes for their Merit Table fixture on Saturday. Brixham were made to work hard for their win as they made too many unforced errors but retained their 100% record in the Table.
Brixham took the lead in the first half when Dan Grinrod burst through the Tavistock defence from inside his own half and crossed the line untouched. The conversion was missed.
Two penalties nudged the visitors into the lead and before half-time it was extended further when a series of attacks culminated in a try. The successful conversion meant that Brixham turned around 13-5 behind.
In the second half Brixham began to stamp some authority on the game. Luck played a part in their second try when the Tavistock players chose to let a speculative chip ahead by Brixham bounce rather than try to catch it. Scrum-half Mitchell Player, following up, took the ball at pace and with the defence wrong-footed scampered over from 20 metres to touch down for an unconverted try.
Darren Levett put Brixham back in the lead. A 5 metre lineout to Brixham brought a classic catch and drive - and a try near the corner flag. The conversion attempt was on course, but fell short.
With only two points in it, both sides were looking for a way through the opposition defence. From a scrum in midfield Brixham attacked down the right wing but found no way through. Quick recycling and an attack in the centre. When this was blocked the ball spun out to the left where Antony Soper on the wing had space to run around the defence to touch down in the corner. The fourth missed conversion and Brixham had a seven point lead.
With ten minutes left to play Tavistock still felt that they could get something out of the game and they attacked until the final whistle but with no reward pointswise.
Saturday December 2nd 2006 - BRIXHAM 8 TORQUAY 8
All four of Brixham and Torquay’s senior sides faced each other on Saturday. With two wins and two draws Brixham claimed the spoils but in the tie that really counted the honours were even as the first teams shared the points in an intense local derby.

At Astley Park, on Saturday, around 1000 spectators witnessed a game that was definitely one of two halves.

In the first half it was Brixham who did all of the pressing but could find no way through the Torquay defence. Midway through the half a run by centre James Otutaha nearly created a break and when the ball was recycled Torquay were caught offside. Matthew Dempsey missed the penalty kick but Brixham continued to attack and ten minutes later were rewarded with the first score when Adam Chadwick finished off a movement by looping around to score a try in the corner. Dempsey was unsuccessful with the conversion but Brixham had their noses in front.
Four minutes later Chadwick again touched town for a try but this was disallowed by the referee for a forward pass. When the half-time whistle sounded Brixham only had a 5-0 lead.
Torquay had had lock forward Andy Knight sent off for stamping so in the second half they were down to fourteen men – but they did have the advantage of the slope and the wind. Just as Brixham had dominated the first period so Torquay did in the second. In the third minute Torquay missed a penalty kick but did reduce the arrears with another after 15 minutes. Brixham then enjoyed a spell of pressure of their own and restored the five point margin with a Dempsey penalty.
Torquay resumed their assault on the Brixham line but were kept at bay by a strong defence. A series of short-range penalties top Torquay resulted in Brixham’s Adam Thomas being given a second yellow card and sent off. Shortly after this Brixham lost a scrum close to their own line and Torquay got the try to level the scores.
Fortunately for Brixham, Torquay’s ace kicker Matt Jackson had left his best kicking boots at home and he missed a relatively easy conversion. In injury time he also missed a penalty and the match finished 8-8.
Brixham can reflect on the missed opportunities in the first half that could have put the game beyond their visitors’ reach and their inability in the second half to secure any useful possession or retain the ball they did have.

Brixhams third team – Brixham Albion – were also at home and also drew with their opposite numbers from Torquay in an even lower scoring match: 5 points each. This game was a friendly but over at Torquay the Seconds and Colts were in Merit Table action. Both teams have a 100% record in their respective tables and maintained them – the Reserves winning 13-5 and the Colts by 28-15

Saturday November 25th 2006 - TAUNTON 8 BRIXHAM 16
Hyde Park in Taunton has never been a particularly happy hunting ground for the Fishermen but on Saturday a solid performance earned them two more League points which lifted them into second position.
Taunton’s pitch was in excellent condition despite the heavy rain which had preceded the kick off. Brixham won the toss and decided to play against the wind.
In the fifth minute Brixham won a line out 15 meters out from the Taunton line and drove a very tight maul right to the line where flanker Alun Glanvill dived over to give Brixham an early lead. From a very difficult angle, and into the wind, fullback and captain Matthew Dempsey converted.
Brixham extended their lead when they attacked down the middle. When their maul was pull down Taunton were penalised and Dempsey kicked the penalty to make it 10-0.
With Brixham were doing most of the attacking it was only stout defence by Taunton that kept them at bay. Brixham, however, did not help themselves by making many handling errors and thus wasting scoring opportunities.
With the wind now at their backs Brixham might have expected an easier task in the second half bur within ten minutes into Taunton were on the scoreboard. Brixham were caught off side and when they didn’t retire 10 meters the goal was within range of Taunton’s flanker Pieter Tosen. The South African duly scored the penalty.
With both sides making handling errors there was no further scoring until the last fifteen minutes. A Brixham attack broke down in the middle of the field and Taunton won the ball. They moved it left to allow another South African - winger Wayne Britton - space to score in the corner to narrow Brixham’s lead to two points.
Brixham now began to put Taunton under tremendous pressure and this eventually led to a penalty in front of the posts for off side. Dempsey kicked this to put Brixham five points ahead. The Taunton restart kick off fell short; Brixham won the resulting scrum and an excellent kick from outside half Ben Lovell put Brixham back into the Taunton 22. Taunton won the line out and tried to move the ball wide where they were caught and penalised for killing the ball. Dempsey slotted the penalty to give Brixham an eight point lead and some breathing space.
Again Taunton had problems in kicking off which allowed Brixham to put the ball back into the Taunton 22 where they were to remain until the final whistle.
Saturday November 18th 2006 - BRIXHAM RESERVES 25 TAUNTON RESERVES 17
With the attention of the rest of the country focussed on the England team and National Cup competitions Brixham had no first team match on Saturday and the only action at Astley Park was a friendly for the Reserves against their Taunton counterparts.
The first half was full of action but the defences were well on top and the only score came midway through when Jason Ellis kicked a penalty to give Brixham a three point interval lead.
Early in the second half a long passage of open play saw Brixham continuously probing the Taunton defence. With the ball being recycled quickly a gap eventually opened and Brixham lock Andy Hawkes went through for a try. The conversion attempt went wide.
Taunton struck back quickly. A series of rolling mauls took them to the Brixham try-line and over it. A successful conversion and Brixham’s lead was down to a single point.
Brixham now began to get on top of Taunton to some extent and went further ahead when they had a penalty close to the visitors’ line. Brixham opted for touch in the corner and some clever thinking. The ball was thrown in quickly and lock John Lamsin went over unopposed.
The third Brixham try came as a result of turning over the ball in midfield but the fourth try was the move of the match when outside-half Ross Edwards broke through the heart of the defence to put his centre through for a touchdown under the posts. Edwards added the conversion and Brixham were 25-7 ahead.
In the last ten minutes Taunton gained some consolation for their afternoons efforts with two tries to narrow the score to 25-17.
Brixham Albion, the third team, were in Merit Table action – away at Cullompton playing their second team. After their defeat last weekend the Albion returned to winning ways with a 25-17 victory.
Brixham Colts were also playing at Cullompton in a friendly. A 41-7 win saw them continue the impressive start they have made to the season.
Saturday November 11th 2006 - BRIXHAM 29 St MARYS OB 9
Brixham consolidated their third place in the League with an emphatic win over their Bristol opponents. St Mary’s have a dangerous set of backs and containing them proved the effectiveness of the Brixham defence. In attack Brixham showed far more flair and variety than their visitors and the margin of victory could well have been greater than the scoreline suggests.
St Marys were only really in the game for the first twenty minutes. They went ahead with a penalty goal in the first minute when Brixham were penalised at a ruck but this led to a spell of pressure from Brixham and after ten minutes Brixham had their noses in front when lock Adam Thomas, back from injury, crashed over for the opening try. Matthew Dempsey added the conversion. St Mary’s narrowed the gap with a second penalty but Brixham almost immediately replied with a second converted try. Prop Richard Culley broke free from a maul and after sucking in the defence offloaded to centre James Otutaha who had a clear run to the line.
A penalty from Dempsey increased the Brixham lead but the visitors struck back with one of their own from long range. Brixham were now enjoying the best of possession and territory but were unable to score again and turned around 17-9 ahead.
The accepted wisdom is that you cannot score directly from set pieces but two minutes into the second half Brixham proved this wrong. A scrum to Brixham just inside the St Mary’s half, the ball passed out to the three-quarters and Otutaha made a half-break and created enough space for fellow centre Hank Hendricksen to cross the line untouched and score under the posts. An easy conversion for Dempsey and Brixham had a 15 point lead.
With Brixham looking to extend the margin and the visitors looking to use their backs to greater effect the second period developed into an entertaining and enthralling spectacle. With their defence, and cover defence, smothering out the St Mary’s efforts Brixham eventually broke the deadlock ten minutes from time. When the ball found Brixham hooker Dan Stead in an unaccustomed position near the touchline he put in a little chip kick. The St Mary’s fullback, under pressure, failed to find touch – but found Brixham prop Nick Stoneman instead. He ran the ball back at the visitors and found Stead on hand to finish off the move with a try. Dempsey missed the conversion; the ball rebounding from the post. The same fate met his attempted penalty goal in injury time but Brixham had kept their line intact and secured an important win.
Brixham’s reserve side maintained their 100% record in the Devon Merit Table with a 75-15 win at Sidmouth but the third team – Brixham Albion – came down to earth with a defeat at the hands of Devonport Services Reserves. Brixham Colts also played Services in a Merit Table fixture on Saturday. A hat-trick of tries from Antony Soper and tries from Dan Grinrod and Richard Champion (who also slotted three conversions) saw them victorious 31-0.
Saturday November 4th 2006 - SPARTANS 20 BRIXHAM 57
Brixham went to Gloucester with some trepidation as half of their regular first team were missing due to injuries. After an ill-tempered and physical battle they returned with two more vital League points after running in nine tries. The all round effort of the team was shown by the fact that seven players crossed the Spartans line.
Brixham hit the ground running and first half tries from Adam Chadwick, Matt Dempsey (2), Clinton Dyer and Hank Hendricksen – with 4 conversions from Dempsey – saw them turn around 33-3 ahead.
In the second period Brixham extended their lead with tries by Dan Stead and Darren Coles before the homesters got back into the match to some extent. Dempsey then completed his hattrick before James Agates wrapped things up with the final try.
With the referee understandably not seeing everything that was happening off the ball Brixham did well to maintain their composure and while victory over bottom-placed Spartans might have been anticipated the margin and manner were not.
Back at Astley Park the Brixham third team – Brixham Albion – had table topping, and unbeaten, Paignton Reserves as their Merit Table opponents. The Albion started well and their early pressure eventually gave them the lead with a penalty goal but Paignton soon took the lead through an unconverted try. Before halftime Brixham again got their noses in front with a second penalty but Paignton’s backs always posed a threat to their defence.
In the second half Paignton began to dominate the game territorially and the Brixham defence was often under severe pressure. With the defence creaking, but holding firm, Brixham were able to mount few attacks of their own but midway through the half they extended their lead with a converted try. Paignton continued to press but were unable to score again until the dying minutes when a try in the corner, and a difficult conversion kick, reduced the Brixham lead to a single point. Brixham held out till the final whistle for a memorable 13-12 win.
Saturday October 28th 2006 - BRIXHAM 13 BOURNEMOUTH 38 - Intermediate Cup
Brixham can have few complaints about the result of their first-round Intermediate Cup clash with Bournemouth. On the day the visitors were better organised and a bit too fast for their hosts. Brixham’s cause was not helped by injuries to players which made them reshuffle their lineup but they lost to the better side.
Brixham opened the scoring in the third minute when a break down the right by Stead and Dempsey was finished off by centre Jake Lawrence scoring a try to which Dempsey added the two conversion points. The lead was short-lived. Two minutes later and Bournemouth were level through a converted try and just minutes later were in front when an attack down the left was finished with a second try.
Brixham cut into the deficit with a penalty from Dempsey five minutes later but were soon under pressure. With the wind and slope in their favour Brixham needed to turn around in front but were kept on the back foot for most of the first period. Towards the end of the half they managed to put some pressure on the visitors’ line but with no reward and turned around 12-10 behind.
In the second half it was again Bournemouth who were on top and two converted tries extended their lead before a rare Brixham attack brought them three points from a second Dempsey penalty. Two more tries followed as Bournemouth converted their almost continuous pressure into points and booked their place in the second round.
While the First XV were in Cup action the Reserves and Albion sides were both playing Merit Table fixtures against North Devon opposition. A scrappy encounter saw the Reserves maintain their 100% record with a narrow 13-12 victory over Barnstaple Reserves. Brixham Albion also emerged victorious from their clash with Bideford Reserves.
On Friday evening Brixham Colts had kicked off the weekend in Teignmouth with a 20-12 win.
Sunday morning saw both the Under 13 and Under 16 sides in action at Astley Park. Despite having five players away on County duty and others unavailable the 16s overwhelmed Cullompton.64-14. In an excellent all round performance, flanker Joe Vince had an outstanding game; winger Dave Langmead claimed a hat-trick of tries (to make his birthday more memorable) and Josh Caunter was successful with 7 out of ten conversion attempts. The 13s meanwhile had the misfortune to be playing a strong Barnstaple side and lost 27-0
Saturday October 21st 2006 - BRIXHAM 62 PENRYN 16
Brixham have been improving with each game and never looked in any trouble as they ran in ten tries against their Cornish visitors. It could, and probably should, have been a greater margin of victory – there is still scope for more improvement.
Attacking from the outset Brixham never let Penryn settle and opened the scoring after five minutes. Penryn missed touch with a penalty deep in their own half and when Brixham ran the ball back at them it was hooker Dan Stead in support who muscled over for a try. Matthew Dempsey added the conversion.
Three minutes later and the visitors defence was breached again. Centre James Otutaha spotted a gap in their defensive line and shimmied through for the touchdown.
With the wind and the slope to their advantage Brixham attacked at every opportunity and added four more tries in the first half. The first of these stemmed from a rolling maul. After trundling forward for 20 metres it was halted just short of the goal line but the ball was quickly released to the backs and Otutaha again squeezed though to score. The second try resulted from a Penryn error. A scrum close to their own line, the ball popped out and the scrum-half mishandled. Brixham flanker Alun Glanvill found the ball loose at his feet, picked up and ran over from 10 metres out.
In the closing minutes of the half centres Jake Lawrence and Otutaha added two more tries in quick succession and Brixham turned around 36-0 ahead.
With the game as good as won and the elements now against them Brixham let the Cornishmen back into the game in the second period. In twelve minutes they had ten points on the board. A forward drive earned them their first points with a converted try and a penalty soon after must have raised their hopes of a comeback. Two tries in quick succession dashed their hopes. A break by number 8 Chris Dorling, carried on by Dan Stead, finished off by scrum-half Sean Onslow (in unnecessarily extravagant fashion) provided the first; three minutes later Onslow added the second.
Penryn replied with a penalty – Brixham replied with another try. This time the forwards did all the work with a catch and drive from a 5m line-out; Dan Stead touching down on their behalf. With their attacks being held by the Brixham defence Penryn had to rely on penalties for their points and added another three points to their tally. With the referee’s watch already in stoppage time Brixham finished the game off with their tenth try – and the fourth by Man of the Match James Otutaha.
While the first team were enjoying their afternoon the Reserves and Albion sides had more torrid games. Redruth Reserves were too strong for Brixham and won 29-0 while Honiton’s second string took apart Brixham Albion
Next week sees a break from League action – but the visit of Bournemouth in the first round of the Intermediate Cup. With Bournemouth going well in their league an exciting encounter is expected.
Saturday October 14th 2006 - NEWTON ABBOT 14 BRIXHAM 16
Newton opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a penalty from centre Devon Melville when Brixham were judged to have piled in over the top thanks to.
Brixham took the lead in the 13 minute when centre James Otutaha capitalised on some slipshod tackling to run in for a try. Full back and captain Matthew Dempsey missed the conversion, but made amends with a penalty a few minutes later and Brixham were five points ahead.
Newton reduced the lead on the half-hour when Melville kicked a second penalty to make it 6-8 at the break.
Newton had a good spell just after the interval when they battered away at the Brixham defence time after time. Eventually they found a gap on the right and were able to put wing Joe Frost over for a try in the corner. Though the conversion was missed Newton had their noses in front.
Almost immediately from the restart Newton were caught off side and Dempsey kicked the goal to draw the sides level. With fifteen minutes remaining Brixham were penalised on their 10 meter line for not releasing the ball. A monster kick from Melville restored the Newton lead again.
Brixham upped the pressure on Newton Abbot. Dempsey had three unsuccessful shots at goal. The next penalty was put deep into the corner for a line-out. A successful catch and the forwards drove for the line; hooker Dan Stead came out with the ball and scored to give Brixham the lead again.
The Brixham team had now got the message to hold on to the ball and keep it tight – which they did for the remaining minutes of the game
Other Results
Brixham Colts 72 Newton Abbot Colts 0
Friday October 13th 2006 - BRIXHAM RESERVES 41 NEWTON ABBOT 0
The Brixham backs showed far more pace and better handling skills than Newton while the relatively inexperienced Brixham pack held their own.
The writing was on the wall for Newton in the first minute. The opening Brixham attack was halted when Newton were penalised. The lick at goal fell short but Newton mishandled the ball and Tim Bumby following up touched down for the opening score. Roger Chadwick had failed with the penalty but added the easier conversion.
The ensuing 20 minutes passed without either side making significant inroads but when a Newton attack broke down the Brixham backs ran the ball back at them and James Hunt finished the movement with a try; Chadwick adding the extras.
Ten minutes later and Brixham had extended their lead with two more tries in quick succession. Jason Rowe declined the offer of easy points when Newton were penalised in front of the posts, took a quick tap and wriggled through to score a try. Five points is better than three and Chadwick’s conversion made it seven. Almost immediately after the restart Brixham’s Jason Hart made a break and the ball quickly passed to the backs for Matt Dudleston to go over for a try. Chadwick again added the extras.
Hunt got his second try in the dying seconds of the first half and Brixham turned around 33-0 ahead.
After what they used to call “lemon time” Newton began to put Brixham under more pressure but were unable to create any clear-cut scoring chances. After Brixham prop Matthew Skeet sustained a nasty head injury it seemed to spur the homesters on and Dudleston ran in his second try after a series of attacking moves down the right wing. Chadwick later added a penalty goal to take the tally past 40 points.
Wednesday October 11th 2006 - BRIXHAM COLTS 24 PAIGNTON 3

Report and photos to come!

Saturday October 7th 2006 - BRIXHAM 39 HORNETS 22 - LEAGUE
It was an intriguing struggle at Astley Park on Saturday when the Brixham forwards held out against the Hornets forwards while their backs combined well and created breaks that enabled them to score the tries that mattered. If Brixham had conceded fewer penalties the margin of victory would have been much greater.
The opening exchanges were end to end, with Brixham just about ahead on territory and possession but they went behind after thirteen minutes when the Hornets outside half Dave Litt went through for a try which he also converted. From the restart kick Hornets recovered the ball and elected to run it back. A poor bass in the middle was gratefully intercepted by Brixham centre James Otutaha who darted through to touch down under the posts and gave Matthew Dempsey an easy conversion. Within five minutes Brixham had taken the lead with a Dempsey penalty kick but Hornets struck back immediately a penalty from the boot of Litt to level the scores.
Brixham were straight back on the offensive and when an attack broke down on the right the ball was quickly recycled and swept to the other side of the field for winger James Agates to score a try in the corner. Dempsey was off target with the conversion attempt but added two more penalties as Brixham began to get on top of the Hornets.
Brixham had a halftime lead of 22-10 but with the wind and slope to their advantage in the second half the Hornets began to apply some pressure of their own. Brixham spent the opening minutes of the second half penned back and Hornets came perilously close to scoring. When Brixham were awarded a penalty in their own 22 it might have seemed wise to seek the sanctuary of a touch kick but a quickly taken tap penalty took the ball into Otutaha’s hands and he broke through to release winger Adam Chadwick to score a try at the other end.
With the Hornets attacks being met by a resolute defence the visitors had to rely on the boot of Litt to increase their points tally. Two penalties narrowed the gap before Dempsey struck back with one for Brixham. This was soon wiped out by another from Litt but when the restart kick was collected by the Hornets forwards the Brixham pack stole the ball and passed it out. Centre Darren Coles made a break though the visitors defence and Chadwick was again on hand to add the finishing touch with a try.
Litt slotted his fifth penalty before Chadwick rounded off the scoring with his third try.
For his solid defensive work and the breaks he made, centre Darren Coles was selected as Man of the Match for Brixham.

Also at Astley Park the third team – Brixham Albion – registered their first Merit Table points with a 20-19 win against Kingsbridge Reserves . The Colts were also in Merit Table action and returned from Kingsbridge 35-14 victors.

The Reserves had no game as Withycombe Reserves were unable to raise a side.
Saturday September 30th 2006 - EXMOUTH 17 BRIXHAM 19 - LEAGUE
Having lost their last two League matches Brixham travelled to Exmouth with some trepidation. The touchline “experts” (as well as the coaching staff) feel that there is still room for improvement but a much better all-round performance resulted in a well-deserved victory.
Brixham opened the scoring in the seventh minute when centre Darren Coles charged down an Exmouth clearance to score a try which Dempsey converted.
This lead was short lived. Just minutes later Exmouth tore a hole in the Brixham defence to allow their full-back to glide through to score a very good try. This was converted to bring the scores level.
For the remainder of the first half it was honours even. Exmouth were trying to use their heavier pack to punch throught but the Brixham pack were responding and tore back into them with some ferocity.
In the 10 minute of the second half Brixham regained the lead. An attack by the Fishermen made space for their other centre - James Otutaha - to score his first try for Brixham. In the windy conditions the conversion attempt failed.
Exmouth now had the wind behind them and they put in some very fine line kicking to keep Brixham at bay. Another mistake in the middle saw Exmouth’s centre burst
through the middle to score which was duly converted to give Exmouth the lead for the first time in the match.
With time running out Brixham threw everything into attack only to have a further set back when Brixham gave Exmouth the ball and their outside half calmly dropped a goal to increase the lead to 17-12.
In the closing minutes of injury time Brixham were camped on the Exmouth line and the pack thought they had scored only to be penalised for a double movement. From the kick Brixham won the line out and drove forward which resulted in No 8 Clinton Dyer going over to score a try and level the scores. With the last kick of the match Dempsey added the extras and secured the win.
BRIXHAM RESERVES 12 EXMOUTH RESERVES 10
Back at Astley Park the Reserves were in Merit Table action – also against Exmouth. Of the nineteen players selected to play for the Reserves all but one were former or present Brixham Colts. Brixham.gave Colt Matt Dudleston.his debut
The opening phases of play were fairly evenly contested but it was Exmouth who had the scoring opportunities. Two penalty kicks at goal were missed by the visitors and they paid the price when another kick went wrong. An attempted clearance kick was charged down and Dudleston was on hand to swoop on the ball and run in a try from 40 metres out virtually unchallenged.
A series of Brixham attacks took them back to the visitors’ goal line and James Hunt took advantage of a gap in the Exmouth defensive line to go through for a try. Jason Ellis added the conversion and Brixham had a 12-0 half-time lead.
In the second period Brixham showed less urgency and Exmouth came back into the game and were on top for most of the half. A try reduced the Brixham lead after thirteen minutes but the defence held out until the last few minutes when Exmouth again crossed the line. With neither try converted Brixham could breathe a sigh of relief and congratulate themselves on their fourth straight win.
Up at Exmouth the Brixham Albion side went down 15-10 in a friendly but the Colts match against Exmouth was cancelled as they were unable to raise a team
Saturday September 23rd 2006 - BRIXHAM 5 CONEY HILL 20 - LEAGUE
Brixham’s disappointing start to the season continued on Saturday when Coney Hill came down from Gloucester.
Almost from the kick-off Brixham had an opportunity to take the lead but Matt Dempsey’s penalty attempt went wide. Five minutes later and they went behind. Coney Hill developed an attack and after several phases spun the ball out to their backs and created an overlap on the left to score the opening try.
For the rest of the first half Brixham generally had the edge over the visitors but the only score they managed came halfway through the period. Brixham were awarded a penalty 15 metres in front of the goal and Coney Hill expected a kick at goal. Instead, a quickly taken tap and the ball sped out to the wing for Chadwick to touch down for the equalising try.
The second half saw Coney Hill beginning to get on top. After ten minutes they extended their lead with a converted try. Brixham fought hard to get back into the game and came close to crossing the line on a couple of occasions. Coney Hill weathered the storm. A penalty increased their lead and for the rest of the match they were continuously on the attack. Brixham did not concede any more points until the match was in injury time. A mistake by Brixham at a scrummage close to their line and Coney Hill had their third and final try.
Brixham Reserves are attempting to retain the Devon Merit Table title they won last season. On Saturday they made it three wins in a row by defeating Crediton Reserves at Crediton. Tries by fullback Roger Chadwick and winger Chris Lanyon took them to the break 12-7 ahead. In the second half the introduction of prop Lee Squire steadied the pack and the superior fitness of Brixham began to take its toll. Crediton added another try but Squire, flanker Jason McLean and Jason Ellis all crossed for Brixham tries. Ellis converted his own try to bring the final score to 29-12.
Brixham Albion bounced back from last weeks defeat by beating Crediton Thirds 22-0 at Crediton in a friendly match.
Crediton also provided the “friendly” opposition for Brixham Colts. Tries from Matt Dudleston (2), Aurin Parham (2), Joe Lovell and Jeremy Stroud – and a solitary conversion by Nathan Dallow – propelled them to a 32-5 win.
Saturday September 16th 2006 - CHELTENHAM NORTH 28 BRIXHAM 15 - LEAGUE

No Match Report

Other Results
Teignmouth Colts 12 Brixham Colts 12 - Merit
Brixham Reserves 32 Ivybridge Reserves 11 – Merit Table
While the First XV were away in Cheltenham in a League match the main attraction at Astley Park was the Reserves in a Merit Table tussle with Ivybridge.
Brixham opened the scoring after just two minutes. Brixham hooker Tom Clark ran at, and through, the first line of the Ivybridge defence and Ivybridge were caught offside at a ruck. Sean Onslow kicked the penalty. With Brixham under pressure at the set pieces Ivybridge were able to get back at the homesters and fifteen minutes later pulled level with a penalty. While Ivybridge held the edge up front in the backs it was a different story and Brixham were soon back in the lead when Onslow went through to cross for a try. A fine handling move up the left wing put Brixham further ahead when winger Alex Brown ended it by touching down for a try. The final act of the first half saw Brixham again on the attack and when an Ivybridge clearance kick was charged down flanker Mike Shears was on hand to pick up the ball in one hand and crash over for a try. With Onslow converting two out of three Brixham turned around 22-3 ahead.
From the restart Ivybridge attacked the Brixham line and were, eventually, rewarded in the form of a penalty goal. This spurred Brixham out of their lethargy and the lead was increased again with another left-side handling move – Onslow finishing it off with an unconverted touchdown. The visitors were beaten but not out of the game entirely and pressure by their pack eventually brought a try to take their score into double figures. With the result decided the game started to peter out as a spectacle but in injury time Brixham were again on the attack and when the forwards failed to make headway in the right corner the ball sped through the threequarters to Onslow who went through a gap to score a try near the posts. His third try, and third conversion, brought the game to an end.

Brixham Albion 5 OPMs Reserves 41 – Merit

Also at Astley Park the third team, Brixham Albion, opened their Merit Table campaign against OPMs Reserves. After winning promotion last season the Albion found life in their new league much tougher.
Saturday September 9th 2006 - BRIXHAM 17 CAMBORNE 13 - LEAGUE
The first Saturday of competitive rugby saw Brixham record a clean sweep as all four sides in action emerged victorious.
At Astley Park the First XV started the league campaign with the visit of Camborne. Although Brixham deserved the victory the result was, for long, in doubt.
Within five minutes Brixham were behind. The first Camborne attack ended when Brixham were caught offside at a ruck and the visitors gratefully put over the penalty kick. For the next 20 minutes Brixham enjoyed more of the possession and territorial advantage but were unable to turn the pressure into points. A rare Camborne attack saw Brixham again penalised for offside but the kick went wide. From the 22 drop out Camborne immediately attacked the Brixham line and extended their lead with a converted try.
The Fishermen were now ten points behind and their continuous pressure was still winning no reward as the half time whistle neared. Five minutes of injury time had been played before the ball went wide to find prop Dan Stead near the touchline with some space. A quick run towards the line before offloading the ball and winger Adam Chadwick had the space to beat the defence and touch down close to the posts. Captain Matthew Dempsey’s conversion marked the end of the first period and Brixham turned around 10-7 behind.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first half with Brixham applying most of the pressure but it was 15 minutes old before Brixham could add to their score and draw level. Brixham had a try disallowed for a forward pass but the referee had been playing advantage for a Camborne infringement and Dempsey slotted the penalty.
With Brixham virtually camped in the Camborne half a draw seemed the most likely result as the minutes ticked away. Two minutes into injury time and Camborne’s ability to soak up the pressure seemed to have gained them the victory when a sally into home territory was rewarded with a penalty and a three point lead.
Nothing daunted Brixham were straight back at them. Several phases of attacking play and the ball went out to the right to the hands of flanker Dan Ritson who went over for a try near the corner. Full-back Ben Lovell added the conversion and Brixham were 17-13 ahead.
Although five minutes of injury time had been played there was still time on the refs watch for another three and the Brixham relief at the final whistle was palpable. Dan Ritson was named Man of the Match – less for his try than the work he had done around the scrums and rucks.

Brixham Albion side were the biggest winners on Saturday. Mark Coysh was making his debut for the team at scrum-half and marked it with a hat-trick of tries and the Man of the Match award Player/manager Keith Walker also grabbed a brace of tries as his new look side prepared for their first Merit Table game.

Other Results
Brixham Colts 21 Torquay Colts 12 - Friendly
Tiverton Reserves 0 Brixham Reserves 27 – Merit Table
Tiverton Thirds 5 Brixham Albion 60 – Friendly

2004-5
SATURDAY April 23rd - LEAGUE

BRIXHAM 29 CONEY HILL 7
Brixham put paid to their relegation worries on Saturday with a resounding win over top of the table Coney Hill. Simon Mitchell, returning to the Brixham team after more than a year out through injury, scored 19 of his side’s points but it was an impressive performance by the whole team.
The opening minutes saw the visitors pounding away at the Brixham defence. Resolute tackling, which was a hallmark of the Brixham play for the whole match, kept them at bay. When Brixham did eventually manage to get into the Coney Hill half they had the first opportunity to score but Mitchell’s penalty went wide. Having weathered the early storm of Coney Hill it was now Brixham who were on top and Mitchell’s second penalty attempt was successful. Almost from the restart hooker Mike Beeson broke clear from a maul and quick passing put centre Bevon Armitage clear for the opening try midway through the first period. Mitchell missed the conversion and missed a second one ten minutes later after he had finished off another threequarters move with a try in the corner.
With the game and promotion slipping away from them Coney Hill picked up their game and the last ten minutes of the first half saw them virtually camped on the Brixham line – but unable to penetrate the defence – and Brixham turned around 13-0 ahead.
The opening period of the second half was fairly evenly contested with neither side able to impose themselves. Mitchell extended the Brixham lead with a penalty and Coney Hill then struck back with a converted try following a brief bout of forward pressure. The last twenty minutes could have been nail biting for the Brixham supporters but Brixham struck back immediately and again extended their lead through Mitchell’s boot (his third penalty). Brixham were now dominating the play and scored their third try when outside-half Jake Lawrence finished off a break by crossing the line under the posts. The conversion was relatively straightforward for Mitchell who rounded off the scoring with his fourth penalty kick five minutes later.
Mike Beeson was named Man of the Match for Brixham but there were fifteen heroes on the field.
SATURDAY April 16th
BRIXHAM ALBION 19 FELTHAM 14
SATURDAY April 9th - LEAGUE
TRURO 17 BRIXHAM 10
SATURDAY April 9th - MERIT TABLE
BRIXHAM RESERVES 20 LAUNCESTON RESERVES 58
SATURDAY April 2nd - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 18 BERRY HILL 15
With Berry Hill still in the chase for a promotion place and Brixham facing the threat of relegation this was a crunch game for both sides. If ever Brixham needed to play well this was the day for it and they did not disappoint their supporters with a good all-round performance.
Within a minute Brixham were behind. The kick-off resulted in a lineout; which led to a scrum at which Brixham were penalised and gave Berry Hill the first three points. For the next ten minutes Brixham rarely touched the ball as the visitors surged forwards. When Brixham did manage an attack they got their first scoring opportunity but Sean Onslow’s penalty kick went wide. Having survived the early pressure Brixham began to come more into the game and Berry Hill began to get bad-tempered. Foul play lost them a forward to the sin-bin - which cost them a penalty - but again Onslow missed. Brixham were straight back on the attack and more foul play saw a second Berry Hill player sinbinned. Third time lucky for Onslow as his penalty levelled the score. With the visitors still down to 13 men Brixham’s backs combined for Hank Hendriksen to cross for the try which put them ahead 8-3 at half-time.
Brixham started the second period at full throttle and for ten minutes launched a series of attacks culminating in a try for winger Tim Bumby and a conversion by Onslow. With their promotion hopes threatened Berry Hill then began to get back into the game. With the Brixham defence masterminded by man of the match Andy Baker Berry Hill concentrated their efforts on forward power. This bore fruit when a drive took their Number 8 over for a try and the conversion reduced the deficit to 5 points. With less than ten minutes remaining a second try levelled the scores but the relatively easy conversion was missed. From the restart Berry Hill knocked on, Brixham secured possession and with the referee playing advantage to them made valuable yards. Berry Hill were penalised at a resultant ruck to give Onslow a penalty 20 metres out in front of the posts. The ball sailed between the uprights and Brixham had the lead again. Five minutes to play and both teams had everything to play for but the Fishermen held out for a well-deserved victory.

SATURDAY March 12th - LEAGUE

BRIXHAM 29 GORDON LEAGUE 7
Both teams were desperate for the points that would ease their relegation worries so a free-flowing feast of open rugby was never really on the cards.
With scrum-half Mark Harvey and No 8 Brad McEldowney both sidelined with injuries Brixham had been forced to make changes to their lineup and just minutes into the game had to make another. Brixham attacked straight from the kickoff but the end result of the attack was that fly-half Matt Caunter suffered an ankle injury and had to leave the field. Neither side was able to make much impression in the opening quarter and the stalemate was only broken when Sean Onslow scored a penalty for Brixham after 25 minutes. Two minutes later and the lead was extended. Hooker Michael Beeson broke away from a maul with the ball and quick passing took it out to Adam Chadwick on the wing. He chipped the defence but the bounce eluded him – to fall into the hands of centre Bevon Armitage who only needed to fall over the line for the opening try; converted by Onslow. Gordon League, who had been playing with the advantage of the slope and the wind, had their first opportunity to put points on the board in injury time at the end of the half but missed the penalty and Brixham turned around 10-0 ahead.
After the restart the game remained tight for fifteen minutes but Brixham wore down the opposition. Modern rugby often sees players popping up in unusual places on the field and this game had a classic one when prop forwards Lee Squire and Dan Stead appeared at the end of an attack on the right wing. With three Gordon League players required to halt Squire’s progress the defence was weakened and Dan Stead collected the pass to sprint 20 metres to cross the line and score a try. Onlow added the conversion. Within ten minutes Brixham were out of sight of Gordon League with two tries in quick succession. Adam Chadwick, Brixham’s man of the match, finished a move by beating three defenders to score a try in the corner and then Bevon Armitage went through the centre to score under the posts.
In injury time Gordon League scored a converted try but it will have come as little consolation to them on their trip back to Gloucester as Brixham have now moved above them in the league.

March 5th - DEVON CUP SEMI FINAL

BRIXHAM 24 TORQUAY 25
Brixham have had the edge over Torquay in recent meetings between the clubs but at Astley Park on Saturday four first-half tries earned Torquay a place in the Devon Cup Final. Brixham dominated the second half but could not do enough to rectify the mistakes of the first period.
Torquay took the lead with a penalty after less than five minutes and extended it to eight points with a try in the corner. Brixham struck back with a Matt Caunter penalty but failed to secure the ball from the restart and the Torquay backs again found a gap in the Brixham defence to score a second try. Minutes later and they had gone even further ahead with a third. Another Caunter penalty reduced the lead but, as before, Torquay came back immediately with a try and conversion to turn around 25-6 ahead
In the second half Brixham tightened up their defence and began to dominate the game. Caunter slotted his third penalty after five minutes and the Brixham pressure finally paid off when Lee Squire was bundled over for a try. Torquay defended resolutely and good kicking by their fly-half gained them valuable yards. When flanker Bryce Chisholm scored a try from a forward drive with 15 minutes remaining the deficit was down to six points and Brixham had their sights on a victory.
Torquay’s defence held out until injury time when Dan Stead scored Brixham’s third try. The conversion would have won the game but from wide out, in a blustery wind, Caunter was unable to pot it and Brixhams hopes of lifting the Devon Cup were dashed again.
February 26th - LEAGUE
BARNSTAPLE 26 BRIXHAM 20
February 26th - MERIT TABLE
BARNSTAPLE RESERVES 7 BRIXHAM RESERVES 20
Brixham had mixed fortunes in their league and cup double-header at the weekend but the results have set up an interesting climax to the season. In the League every match is now important if they are to avoid relegation while in the Cup a semi-final against our friends from Torquay is the reward.
SUNDAY February 20th - DEVON CUP
SIDMOUTH 8 BRIXHAM 32
Sidmouth may be two leagues below Brixham but are clear leaders of their division and are also in the semi-finals of the National Vase Competition.
Brixham played the first half up the slope and into the wind and exerted most of the early pressure. With ten minutes on the clock they had established a lead through a Matt Caunter penalty and an unconverted Tom Vaughan try. Sidmouth struck back with a long-range penalty; only to fall further behind when a Brixham forward drive resulted in lock Chris Dorling peeling off to cross the try-line. When they had the opportunity the Sidmouth backs looked dangerous and on the half-hour they combined well to score a try in the corner and restrict the Brixham half-time lead to 13-8
In the second period, with the threat of the Sidmouth backs having been shown, it was important that Brixham should make their tackles count. Which they duly did. A succession of scrummages close to the Sidmouth line set up a number of scoring chances and with ten minutes of the second half played centre Bevon Armitage capitalised on one of these to go over for a try, converted by Caunter. With Brixham generally a bit quicker to the breakdowns and able to secure good turnover ball they gradually subdued Sidmouth and two tries late in the game sealed the victory. Prop Steve Green scored from close range but Tom Vaughan had further to go for his second try. Caunter converted the latter try.
SATURDAY February 19th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 29 HORNETS 32
Brixham scarcely touched the ball in the first two minutes of play – a passage which saw them finish up seven points behind and with winger Alex Brown stretchered off with a broken leg. Despite the unfortunate start the Fishermen were ahead before twenty minutes had been played with two tries. Hank Hendricksen went over in the left corner for the first (converted by Matt Caunter); closely followed by Adam Chadwick in the right. Hornets replied with their second try to level the scores but before the referee blew for half-time prop Lee Squire had gained the reward for the efforts of the home forwards with two tries. With neither converted Brixham turned around 22-12 ahead.
Hornets reduced the arrears early in the second period with a long-range penalty but Chadwick’s second try, converted by Caunter, extended the lead to 14 points. A second Hornets penalty and a converted try whittled the lead to just four points and set up a tense last quarter-hour with Brixham forced on to the back foot. With the defence holding on Brixham thought they had probably done enough for the win, but in injury-time Hornets stung them with a try to deprive them – the conversion being the final act.
February 12th - MERIT TABLE
TAUNTON RESERVES 10 BRIXHAM RESERVES 5
February 5th - LEAGUE
SPARTANS 22 BRIXHAM 7
Brixham opened the scoring in the tenth minute when the Brixham backs combined well to give Bevon Armitage his eleventh league try of the season. Math Caunter converted for a seven point lead.
In the twenty sixth minute Brixham were stunned when the referee allowed a try from Spartans winger Jamie Easterbrook. in the corner following a forward catch and drive despite the fact that he had knocked the touch flag down when he dived to put the ball down.
Easterbrook was again the scorer when Spartans had a similar catch and drive in the same position as the previous score but, on this occasion, Easterbrook was in touch when he received the ball.. The referee Mr Roach from Liverpool had to accept the advice of the Spartans touch judge.
One of pleasing factors of the first half was that Brixham had not conceded a penalty of any kind.
H T Score Spartans 10 Brixham 7
In the first 30 minutes of the second half the play took place between the two 22 meter lines with neither side able to dominate. Then Brixham made their first mistake when a chip ahead was intercepted by the Spartans No 6 and man of the match Chris Patterson who scored near the posts for an easy conversion and a 17-7 advantage.
With time running out Brixham threw every thing into attack and again Brixham tried a little chip ahead only for the Spartans No 6 flanker to collect and score a try in the corner.
Brixham forwards were very good in the scrums and line out but were up against a very good back row who were excellent at the breakdown.
Following the Brixham try both sets of backs shut up shop neither of which were able to dominate.
February 5th - MERIT TABLE
BRIXHAM RESERVES 7 WESTON RESERVES 20
February 5th - MERIT TABLE
BRIXHAM ALBION 27 TOPSHAM RESERVES 12
January 29th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 35 STROUD 7
Brixham eased their relegation worries with a win against fellow strugglers Stroud.
Stroud started strongly and it was against the run of play when Matthew Caunter gave Brixham the lead with a penalty. Being ahead did nothing to relieve the pressure on the Brixham defence as Stroud dominated the first thirty minutes. Quick passing and good support play kept the visitors moving forward and they gained a just reward when their flanker Adam Tarplee went over for a try following a 5 metre lineout. The conversion gave them a four-point lead which should have been extended minutes later by a penalty kick which rebounded off the post. This lucky escape for Brixham was also the wake-up call they needed and for the last ten minutes of the first half they were attacking as much as defending. Just before the whistle blew for half-time Dan Stead popped up in support of the backs to touch down for the try that gave Brixham a slender 8-7 interval lead.
In the second period Brixham retained the momentum they had built up but found few gaps in the Stroud defence. With the Brixham pack achieving parity with Stroud it was their backs who posed the threat but it was almost midway through the second half before Brixham scored again. A Bevon Armitage try in the right corner, converted by Caunter, showed the way. A second penalty from Caunter and a try in the left corner by winger Alex Brown extended the lead to 23-7 with ten minutes remaining. The Stroud captain at this point called for his players to "run everything" at Brixham. Unfortunately for him it was the Brixham backs who were running at his team and two tries in the last five minutes from winger Adam Chadwick and centre Armitage, the first converted by Caunter, saw Brixham home in style.
Fittingly it was one of the unsung heroes – prop forward Steve Green, who was selected as Man of the Match.
January 23nd - NATIONAL PLATE
BRIXHAM COLTS 5 HORNETS COLTS 25
January 22nd - LEAGUE
EXMOUTH 18 BRIXHAM 0
January 22nd - MERIT TABLE
BRIXHAM RESERVES 19 EXMOUTH RESERVES 3
Prop forwards are not usually highly regarded as try-scorers but Lee Squire disproved this with a hat-trick on Saturday as Brixham registered another victory in the South West Reserves Merit Table.
Brixham had fallen behind within the first five minutes to a penalty goal but soon edged ahead. A lineout 5 metres from the Exmouth line was taken by Lee at the front and he sprinted in at the corner for the opening try. Twenty minutes later he was again at hand to finish off a move with a try much closer to the posts to enable Roger Chadwick to add the conversion and give Brixham a 12-3 lead at half-time.
The incessant drizzle, muddy surface and slippery ball did nothing for the spectacle but Brixham were generally on top throughout and when Exmouth dropped a pass near their own line Lee was again on hand to dive over for his third try; duly converted by Chadwick.
January 15th - MERIT TABLE
BRIXHAM ALBION 6 HONITON RESERVES 29
January 8th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 22 CLEVE 25
After five minutes play during which they barely touched the ball Brixham were five points behind to a Cleve try. From the restart they launched their first attack and reduced the arrears with a Matt Caunter penalty. Despite the advantage of the slope and the wind in the first half Brixham were unable to secure enough ball and Cleve continued to press the Brixham line. Against the run of play Brixham then took the lead when Bevon Armitage made an interception, sprinted 60 metres and strolled under the posts to touch down for a try and an easy Caunter conversion. With ten minutes of the half remaining Brixham extended their lead to 15-8. A quickly taken tap penalty and a break down the wing resulted in Chris Dorling, in support, crashing over from short range for a try.
In the second period Brixham were again forced to defend and for most of the half were reduced to 14 men through sin-binnings. The Cleve forwards’ pressure finally told with two tries in quick succession – the first from a 5metre lineout, the second from a 5 metre scrum.. With both tries successfully converted and a penalty shortly after Brixham now trailed by 25-15. While Cleve may have thought they had the game wrapped up Brixham finished more strongly and were rewarded with a penalty try five minutes from the end – duly converted by Caunter. Although they went back on the attack, with the referee adding no time on for injuries, the final whistle came too soon.

JANUARY 2nd 2005 - BREWER CUP

TORQUAY 12 BRIXHAM 41
Brixham held onto the Brewer Cup with an ultimately comfortable win against the old enemy across the bay on Sunday.
Brixham took a very early lead when centre Bevon Armitage crashed through the home defence for the opening try, converted by Matthew Caunter, but this heralded a twenty minute period which Torquay dominated. The Tics narrowed the gap with a pushover try from a 5 metre lineout but the Brixham defence was resolute and prevented any further scores. And then, in the rest of the first half, they showed Torquay how to score. Brad McEldowney went over for a try, closely followed by Alex Brown finishing off a break made by Armitage. With Caunter adding both conversions and a penalty the Brixham lead had swelled to 24-5 by half-time.
With Brixham reduced by a sin-binning to 14 men Torquay opened the second half on top and a converted try reduced the deficit to twelve points before Caunter landed a penalty to put the Fishermen back on an even keel. Minutes later he did even better, intercepting a pass on the halfway line to run through and score under the posts – and give himself an easy conversion. With fifteen minutes remaining Brixham made the game theirs with a fifth try – a 5 metre lineout and drive for the line saw Bryce Chisholm over the line and Caunter yet again adding the conversion.
December 26th
BRIXHAM 7 PRESIDENTS XV 14
December 18th - LEAGUE
CAMBORNE 18 BRIXHAM 7
The poor conditions down in Cornwall suited the Camborne forwards who picked up and drove at will. The Brixham backs looked far quicker when they had the ball in their hands but with Camborne doninating possession they had few opportunities. The Brixham coach Brett Bedwell was full of praise for the excellent defence of the whole team.
In terrible conditions Brixham, having lost the toss, were given the Camborne slope to start the game. However with barely five minutes on the clock Brixham fullback Sam (Sean Dyson) Onslow dislocated one of his fingers and had to be taken to hospital. He was replaced by Paul Lowe.
Despite tremendous pressure from the Camborne pack Brixham defended heroically until midway through the first half when the Brixham backs were adjudged to be offside at a ruck and the Camborne skipper kicked a simply penalty.
In the 30 minute a poor defensive kick out from Brixham saw Camborne’s flying Kiwi – their fullback Todd Blythe - run the ball back at the fishermen to make space for their winger to score in the corner.
In the final few minutes of the first half Brixham lock John Lamsin was sin binned for being offside and, from the resulting penalty, Camborne were held up on the Brixham line. The referee then awarded another penalty for offside which was kicked to make the score 11-0 and half time
Brixham attacked from the restart and won good ball from a lineout 10 meters out which allowed quick hands and good running lines for centre Bevon Armitage to score his seventh try of the season which outside half Mathew Caunter converted to reduce Camborne’s lead.
Brixham’s superb defence continued to keep Camborne out and in one of the battles for the ball Camborne flanker Martin Woolcock was yellow carded for obstruction only to be followed into the bin by Brixham’s winger Adam Chadwick - for an offence yet to be explained.
Finally with seconds to go Camborne were awarded another penalty on the Brixham line and from this penalty they drove over with scrumhalf Dave Mankee getting being awarded the touchdown under a pile of bodies. The conversion made it 18-7 and the final whistle.
BRIXHAM COLTS 34 CREDITON COLTS 5
Brixham had suffered a heavy defeat at Crediton earlier in the season but got their revenge in the rain at Astley Park.
In the opening exchanges Brixham were slightly on top and opened the scoring through a Ben Lovell penalty. Midway through the half a brace of tries in quick succession by James Hunt put Brixham clear – though Lovell narrowly missed both conversions. With Crediton missing a penalty late on in the half Brixham turned around 13-0 ahead.
Despite the weather deteriorating and the ball getting more difficult to handle Brixham turned up the heat in the second half. Three tries, all converted, in the first fifteen minutes assured them of victory but also caused them to relax somewhat and Crediton began to get back into the game. Late on they finally secured a consolation score with a pushover following a 5 metre lineout but Brixham had the game won.
December 12th - NATIONAL COLTS PLATE
BRIXHAM 27 WADEBRIDGE 22
Brixham had a dream start to what turned out to be a closely fought cup-tie.
Brixham kicked off, Wadebridge knocked it on, Brixham took the scrum and Steve Worth was over in the corner for a try in less than sixty seconds. Ten minutes later and Brixham had extended their lead to 12 points when Richard Lobb scored their second try which Patrick Jenkins converted. Wadebridge reduced the arrears when their winger ran around the Brixham defence to score a converted try under the posts. Lobb then struck again when he went through the Wadebridge defence for his second try but this was cancelled out in the closing minutes of the first half when the visitors scored their second try to turn around just five points – 17-12 – behind.
It took Brixham slightly longer to open their account in the second half. After two minutes a lineout close to the Wadebridge line resulted in Tom Clark being bundled over for a try.
With both sides keen to progress in the competition the game continued to see-saw. Wadebridge closed the gap again with their third try; Brixham then increased it again when Jack Pearce went over for Brixham’s fifth and with ten minutes remaining Wadebridge scored another try. With Brixham ahead bu just five points this set up an exciting final period of play which saw the Brixham defence hold out till the final whistle.
December 11th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 32 TRURO 17
Truro came to Astley Park full of confidence after two good wins up in Gloucestershire but were overpowered by Brixham on Saturday.
Brixham went ahead within five minutes when hooker Dan Stead powered over for a try and by midway though the first half had extended the lead through two Matt Caunter penalties. Truro, despite having the advantage of the slope, were making little headway against the Brixham defence but did open their account with a long-range penalty. Within a minute this had been nullified by Brixham’s second try. Flanker Bryce Chisholm broke off a scrum to power through to his maiden league try for Brixham; Caunter adding the conversion. With both sides missing penalties the first half closed with Brixham 18-3 ahead.
Truro looked a far better team in the second period and for fifteen minutes had Brixham pinned back in their own half. Centre Bevon Armitage had been noteworthy for his defensive tackling but displayed his offensive skills when Brixham broke out; running in from 30 metres to score under the posts, Caunter adding the conversion. Truro still posed threats and with less than fifteen minutes left scored two converted tries in quick succession to give themselves hope of getting something out of the game. Brixham had been stung by their defensive lapses and with little time remaining put the game beyond the Cornishmens reach – a clever chip ahead from Caunter was collected by Brixham for winger Adam Chadwick to score under the posts. Brixham’s fourth try, Caunters third conversion and a victory that moved Brixham up one place in the league.
In the West of England Merit Table the Brixham Reserves continue to set the pace and on Saturday beat Barnstaple Reserves comfortably by 68 points to 3.
December 4th - LEAGUE
CONEY HILL 26 BRIXHAM 13
Brixham travelled to Gloucester for the game against Coney Hill having been forced to make three changes to the side that did so well against Camborne.
Alun Glanvill had been injured in that match and Paul Lidster was injured in training on Tuesday evening . With these two players the list now extends to 14 First XV, or potential First XV players not being available for selection.
Brixham opened the scoring when Coney Hill were caught offside in front of their posts. Outside half Mathew Caunter kicked the goal to give Brixham a three point lead but in the next fifteen minutes the Brixham defence collapsed and allowed Coney Hill to score 4 tries.. Three of the tries scored had come from forward drives which forced push over tries. The fourth, scored by their winger, came from a neat chip through from the Coney Hill scrum-half. Three conversions put the home side well clear and the only Brixham reply was just before half time when Caunter kicked his second penalty to reduce the deficit to 26-6.
During the break the Brixham players got a very stiff talking to from coach Brett Bedwell and things improved thereafter. Brixham pushed Coney Hill to defend their own line and were very unlucky not to have scored what seemed to be a perfectly good try by Adam Chadwick only to be called back when Coney Hill players persuaded the referee that he had stepped in touch (although the touch judge said he had not). Despite this set back Brixham continued to hammer at the Coney Hill line and were finally rewarded when centre Bevon Armitage latched onto a dropped Coney Hill pass and dribbled from sixty yards to score near the posts. Caunter added the conversion. Brixham continued to press but the game had been lost in the middle of the first half. In the closing minutes Brixham were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but as play continued the referee deemed that the advantage was over and blew the final whistle.
Other Results:
Brixham Albion 20 Torquay Quins 15
Brixham Colts 27 Tavistock Colts 7
November 20th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 11 CAMBORNE 7
Matthew Caunter scored all of Brixham’s points as high-flying Camborne were beaten in an enthralling match at Astley Park on Saturday.
In the first seven minutes Brixham only had possession twice – both times to make clearance kicks to touch – as Camborne dominated play and pressurised the home defence. Their reward for starting at a gallop came when their full-back Todd Blythe (a New Zealand Olympic sprinter) cantered over under the posts for an easily converted try.
Having taken the lead Camborne seemed unable to maintain the pace and Brixham then came back into the game and began to make inroads. Within ten minutes they had reduced the arrears to just a single point. Outside-half Matthew Caunter kicked a penalty and then, from in front of the posts dropped a goal – courtesy of the crossbar, which the ball bounced on, on its way over.
The remainder of the first half was evenly contested and both sides had opportunities to score tries – denied by the defences and handling errors – and penalty goals but at halftime the Cornishmen still held a narrow 7-6 lead.
From the restart Brixham were straight on the attack and quickly got their noses in front when Caunter evaded his tackler and went over for a try. With both teams defences up to the task of defending their lines the second half produced no more scores but still provided an exciting match as play went from end to end and attacks were snuffed out by committed tackling. With Brixham just four points ahead and courtesy of the referee the final result remained in doubt until he eventually blew for time, after adding 12 minutes of "injury time".
Prop forward Steve Green was nominated as man of the match and he had extra cause for celebration as he also won an England replica shirt in the half-time match draw.
Other Results:
Crediton Reserves 11 Brixham Reserves 26
Crediton Colts 22 Brixham Colts 14
November 13th - LEAGUE
CLEVE 21 BRIXHAM 6
What we should have done is now history. Cleve let us down and played a different game to what they normally play. In previous games they were content to move the game wide, but on Saturday in perfect rugby conditions they kicked for the corners, put us under tremendous forward pressure and scored three forward tries, two from pushovers which their No 10 Lewis converted. We had our chances particularly in the last 15 minutes of the first half when we should have scored but took the wrong options. And in the last 20 minutes when we pounded their line and should have come away with more then the two penalty goals that Matt Caunter had kicked in the first half.
Other Results
BRIXHAM ALBION 16 TEIGNMOUTH RESERVES 14
BRIXHAM COLTS 8 NEWTON ABBOT COLTS 25
November 6th - LEAGUE
STROUD 12 BRIXHAM 17
Another day on the road. Brixham have now played 7 league matches - 4 of them away and, of these, three have been in Gloucestershire with another one to come next week.
The first half was a dour affair in wet and overcast conditions, sadly dominated by one incident in which the captain Mathew Dempsey was taken to Hospital with a broken ankle. Following Matthew’s departure Brixham reorganised with replacement Tim Bumby coming on to the wing and Tom Vaughan moving back to fullback.
Brixham had the opportunity to go ahead from two penalties, one of which hit the post, but at half time there was no score,
In the third minute of the second half Stroud were awarded a series of penalties which put them on the Brixham line where they went for a push over try from flanker Adam Tarplee; converted for a seven point lead.
Brixham upped the pressure and finally found the gap for centre Alex Brown to score his first try in the First XV. Outside-half Mathew Caunter converted to level the scores. From the restart Brixham fielded the ball and put centre Bevon Armitage away to score Brixham’s second try which Caunter again converted to put Brixham in the driving seat.
With Adam Chadwick going for the line and virtually certain to score the referee decided that the advantage gained from a previous incident was not enough and awarded Brixham a penalty some 40 meters out. Caunter kicked the goal to put Brixham 17-7 ahead with 10 minutes to go.
To the confusion of both players and spectators the referee then made a series of "interesting" decisions. First Stroud had their captain sin-binned and within the space of a minute three Brixham players were also sin-binned. The Stroud player was recalled after only 4 minutes in the bin and for the remainder of the game the 12-man Brixham defence sustained all attacks. To confuse matters further the referee played 10 minutes of extra time (without recalling the Brixham players) during which Brixham conceded a penalty on their line which Stroud took advantage of with their 15 players to score a second pushover try. With the light fading the referee had no alternative but to call time.
Other Results
BRIXHAM RESERVES 15 DEVONPORT SERVICES RESERVES 20
BRIXHAM COLTS 7 DEVONPORT SERVICES COLTS 43
October 30th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 46 EXMOUTH 13
Ganes against Exmouth in recent seasons have been close contests but on Saturday Brixham turned on the style to demolish the Cockles with the backs running in all seven tries.
Exmouth led briefly through a penalty kick after five minutes but were under the cosh for most of the match. Two minutes later Brixham went ahead when Matthew Dempsey scored an unconverted try in the corner and Dempsey then increased the lead with a penalty. Twenty minutes of attacking play later and the score was still 8-3. With less than ten minutes of the half remaining Exmouth attempted to clear their lines from a 5 metre scrum but the kick was charged down for Matthew Caunter to pounce on for a try. Dempsey was successful with the conversion as he was again shortly after when strong running from Paul Lidster put winger Adam Chadwick in for a try.
Five minutes into the second half and Chadwick scored again when the Brixham attack swung from one side of the pitch to the other to put him in by the corner flag. Exmouth, with their heavier pack, continued to battle but had no answer to the flair and pace of the Brixham backs who added two more tries in quick succession midway through the second half. Adam Chadwick got the first – and his hat-trick – by beating four Exmouth defenders on his way to the line. Tom Vaughan, on the other wing, got the second rounding off a move that saw many of the Brixham players involved.
With the result beyond doubt Exmouth now enjoyed their best period of the game and in ten minutes their forward power contributed to two unconverted tries. Seeing their lead eroded reinvigorated Brixham and in injury time Bevon Armitage, with a solo effort, scored under the posts to give Dempsey an easy conversion.
Although all the points (and the glory) went to the backs the contribution of the forwards could not be forgotten and flanker Dan Ritson was named as Man of the Match for Brixham.
EXMOUTH RESERVES 10 BRIXHAM RESERVES 29
BRIXHAM ALBION 11 EXMOUTH III 9
BRIXHAM COLTS 41 PLYMSTOCK OPMS 3
October 23rd and 24th

NO MATCHES PLAYED

October 16th - LEAGUE
BERRY HILL 31 BRIXHAM 28
Berry Hill in the Forest of Dean is never an easy place for visiting teams and the home side rapidly made their intentions clear on how they wanted to play the game. Kick for the corners to allow their heavy pack to drive for the line. In the sixth minute they achieved this when their Number 8 Richard Hobbs was driven over for the opening try.
In the 10 minute Brixham fullback and captain Matthew Dempsey kicked a penalty when Berry Hill went off side. Almost from the restart Berry Hill won a scrum on the Brixham line and again kicked for the corner for their winger to score a try which was converted to make the score 12-3 to them
In the 18 Minute Dempsey again reduced the lead with a penalty - only for Hobbs again to score from a 5-meter scrum to increase Berry Hill’s lead.
Kicking for position is not always successful as Berry Hill found out towards the end of the half when Dempsey caught a long kick and ran it back at them from his own 22 to put winger Adam Chadwick away for an excellent try.
Brixham turned around 17-11 behind and opened the scoring in the second half when they moved the ball along the line to allow hooker Dan Stead to chip through for Chadwick to chase and score in the corner. Dempsey converted to give Brixham the lead.
Berry Hill were sticking to their game plan however and got Brixham trapped on their line. Hobbs was driven over for his third try (again from close quarters) which was converted to restore the lead.
Brixham were using what little ball they had very well attacking up the hill and were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try when Dempsey was taken out by the Berry Hill No 8. Dempsey kicked the penalty to reduce the lead to 21-24
Berry Hill’s rugby was not pretty but it was effective and from a series of scrums on the Brixham line Berry Hill were awarded a Penalty try when the Referee adjudged Brixham to have collapsed the scrum. An easy conversion and they were ten points ahead.
Brixham continued to run the ball at every opportunity and in one of these attacks Dempsey was again taken out illegally. From the resulting penalty Chadwick was put away and chipped through for Stead to score which was converted by Dempsey to make it 28-31 which was the final score.
BRIXHAM RESERVES 24 NEWTON ABBOT RESERVES 25
BRIXHAM ALBION 10 NEWTON ABBOT THIRDS 10
October 9th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 20 SPARTANS 32
Brixham suffered their first home defeat in the league this season at the hands of a well-organised Spartans side.
With just two minutes on the clock Spartans opened a hole in the Brixham defence to open the scoring with a try and doubled their lead fifteen minutes later in similar fashion. Brixham had been doing their share of the attacking and opened their account shortly afterwards when Matthew Dempsey slotted a penalty but another try from Spartans saw them turn around 15-3 down.
With the strong wind in their favour in the second half Brixham set about overturning the Spartans lead and after ten minutes had reduced the deficit when lock Chris Dorling turned up on the wing to score a try. Despite their efforts Brixham were unable to add to this score and Spartans increased their lead with two tries in quick succession midway through the half. With the result almost beyond doubt Brixham continued to attack and in the final quarter managed two tries – Dempsey in under the posts for an easy conversion and Tom Vaughan in the corner. Between these scores Spartans had themselves scored a try – their sixth – to seal their victory.
October 2nd - LEAGUE
HORNETS 26 BRIXHAM 12
Hornets had not won a game this season but on Saturday they stung the Fishermen in the League match up at Weston. In the first minute of the game they almost crossed the try line but it was Brixham who struck first through Matthew Dempsey’s boot when he kicked a penalty. The lead was short-lived. From a ruck the Hornets No. 8 broke through several tackles to put his winger over near the corner-flag. Brixham replied with a second penalty but Hornets started to dominate the game and scored a second try. Only stern Brixham defence kept the score down to 12-6 at the break.
In the second half Brixham opened brightly and reduced the deficit when Dempsey slotted his third penalty. Just minutes later, however, Hornets had stretched their lead when their winger recovered a clearance kick in his own half and jinked his way through the Brixham defence to score a third try. Brixham generally had more of the play in the second period but were unable to find a way through the Hornets defence and their only reward was a fourth penalty goal. Hornets’ fourth try ten minutes from time sealed the match.
October 2nd - MERIT TABLE
BRIXHAM RESERVES 53 TAUNTON RESERVES 0
Back at Astley Park the reserve side were also in league action in the South West Reserves Merit Table. With the advantage of a strong wind and the slope the home side had worked hard to build a 22 point lead at half time. With the conditions against them in the second half, however, they started to open the game out and pierce holes in the visitors defence. For Brixham Dan Ritson had a superb game and was rewarded with two tries – other scorers were Tim Bumby (3 tries), Paul Lidster, Paul Lowe and Jason Rowe (a try each) and James Onslow (5 conversions and a penalty).
September 26th - NATIONAL CUP
BRIXHAM COLTS 24 CULLOMPTON 18
Brixham went through to the second round of the National Colts Cup with a hard-fought win on Sunday afternoon. Cullompton established an early 3 point lead with a penalty but an interception inside his own half, and a 60 metre sprint, by Richard Lobb - to touch down under the posts and give Patrick Jenkins an easy conversion - put Brixham ahead. Jenkins then extended the lead with a penalty after 20 minutes. Ten minutes later a 5 metre lineout; a catch and drive by the Brixham forwards and Matthew Skeet touched down for a try, Jenkins again adding the conversion. With Brixham 17-3 ahead Cullompton came back into the game as the first half closed and scored a try but were unsuccessful with the conversion and the penalty kick which ended the half.
Within five minutes of the second period Lobb and Jenkins, with a try and conversion respectively, had put Brixham comfortably ahead at 24-8. The remainder of the half was, however, far from comfortable as Cullompton forced Brixham on to the back foot and whittled away at the lead. A penalty and a converted try brought the deficit down to just six points going into the last ten minutes but Brixham clung on for a well-deserved victory.
September 25th - LEAGUE
BRIXHAM 41 BARNSTAPLE 10
Brixham’s first home League match of the season saw the return of Barnstaple to Astley Park. In March Brixham narrowly won in the Devon Cup but Barnstaple now are a shadow of the team that played that day and the margin of victory could, and should have been even greater.
Prop forward Lee Squire opened the scoring with a try in the first two minutes but it was the backs who did most of the damage. Within 20 minutes Brixham were already 27 points ahead thanks to a brace of tries by Bevon Armitage and a try, penalty and two conversions by Matthew Dempsey. Barnstaple reduced the arrears slightly with a penalty but Brixham were in the driving seat. A Barnstaple clearance kick that went awry and the pace of the Brixham backs put Dempsey through under the posts for his second try and conversion before halftime.
In the second half, and 34-3 ahead, Brixham could scent victory. After ten minutes Dempsey again finished a move by the backs to claim his hat-trick of tries and his fourth successful conversion but Brixham then went off the boil. Barnstaple were rewarded for their efforts with a converted try and pressed to the final whistle but could not breach the Brixham defence again.
With four players making their League debuts (three of them former Colts) Brixham were pleased with the performance and can look forward to visiting Weston Hornets (who are bottom of the league) on Saturday
September 18th
BRIXHAM 16 WESTCOUNTRY WARRIORS 12
Having been defeated fairly comprehensively by the Warriors in a pre-season warm-up match this contest provided a valuable opportunity to see how far Brixham had progressed. In the first period both sides had their chances and were evenly matched - only a penalty from Matthew Dempsey after 15 minutes separating the two sides.
With the slope and the wind in their favour in the second period Brixham soon extended their lead through a Dan Stead try in the corner and midway through the half increased it to 13-0 when Mark Harvey finished off a move started by Bevon Armitage. Warriors were not on the point of surrendering, however, and had the best of the last quarter scoring two tries (one converted) either side of Dempsey's second penalty.
TORQUAY RESERVES 32 BRIXHAM RESERVES 17
BRIXHAM ALBION 14 OPM's 15
September 12th
Brixham won four of their five games at the weekend – but the big one got away when the First team lost their opening league fixture. Travelling to Gloucestershire is never easy and newly promoted Gordon League came from behind to beat Brixham 19-15 in a close game.
At home the Reserves also had a close match against Ivybridge reserves. Ivybridge took an early lead with an unconverted try; Brixham levelled the scores midway through the first half but on half-time the visitors regained the lead with a second try and led 12-5 at the break. Despite having the slope and the wind in their favour in the second period Brixham found it difficult to break through and there were only 20 minutes remaining before they levelled the scores with a James Onslow try and conversion. With ten minutes remaining another Brixham attack seemed to have petered out but hooker John Vickery popped up to score the final try and Brixham ran out 17-12 ahead.
Meanwhile the third team – Brixham Albion – got their season back on track with a thumping victory away against Totnes reserves. Their 73-7 victory was notable for the refereeing debut of former player Robert Simonetti though he will have to pull his socks up if he is to make a mark as the man with the whistle.
Also away from home on Saturday were the Colts. They travelled to Ivybridge and returned victorious from their first Merit Table match – winning 25-15.
Back at Astley Park on Sunday, Moretonhampstead provided the opposition for Brixham Extras. Tries from Sean Onslow (3), Matt Skeet (2), Michael Skeet, Kimble and Libralon saw Brixham edge through to a 46-14 win.
September 5th
It is rare that the Brixham Firsts and Seconds are both at home on the same day but that was how the season began at Astley Park on Saturday. Both had Somerset opponents -–the First XV with a friendly against league-above Clevedon while the Reserves opened their South-West Merit Table competition against Bridgwater United.
BRIXHAM RESERVES 68 BRIDGWATER UNITED 7
The young Brixham side completely outclassed their opponents and with the pack winning scrums against the head and stealing line-out ball the backs had plenty of possession. Slick handling and sheer pace enabled them to run in a dozen tries. Chris Ward made a return at full-back (and boosted the average age somewhat) and scored two tries. Alex Brown and James Onslow also grabbed a brace apiece while Onslow also slotted four conversions.
BRIXHAM FIRST XV 3 CLEVEDON 22
With a host of players unavailable the First XV had something of a makeshift look about it but the game was far closer than the scoreline suggests. Brixham opened the scoring after 5 minutes with a Roger Chadwick penalty but by midway through the first half were 12-3 down thanks to two pieces of individual brilliance by the Clevedon fullback and centre who both carved holes in the Brixham defence to score tries. With the Clevedon backs aklways looking dangerous it was solid defence which kept them at bay for the rest of the half.
Brixham had much more of the ball in the second period and created scoring opportunities which were sadly wasted. A penalty midway through saw Clevedon extend their lead. A final try and conversion, in injury time, made the scoreline more flattering for Clevedon but Brixham can take considerable comfort ion their performance ahead of Saturday’s opening league match against Gloucester-based Gordon League.
AUGUST 29th
MAIDENHEAD 30 BRIXHAM 10
Brixham were far from full strength for this PowerGen National Cup (preliminary round) fixture but their young side competed exceptionally well and came back strongly in the closing stages.
Brixham took the lead in the first five minutes with a penalty goal from Matt Dempsey but were soon behind to a try by their hosts. Two penalties extended the Maidenhead lead and almost on half-time they used their forward dominance to drive over for a second try. The conversion was successful and Brixham turned around 18-3 behind.
Where Brixham had been on the defensive for most of the first half they had more of the game in the second but two more Maidenhead tries increased the deficit to 30-3. When Brixham pressed forwards they had difficulty breaking the Maidenhead defence and it was late in the game when a quickly taken tap penalty gave prop Lee Squire the opportunity to burst through for a try from ten metres out – converted by Dempsey.
Despite the defeat, Brixham were happy with the performance which provided a useful warm-up to their league campaign.

2003/2004

April 25th 2004 - DEVON CUP FINAL

BRIXHAM 31 NEWTON ABBOT 33
Click here to see the match programme

Despite scoring five tries to Newton’s two Brixham lost the Devon Senior Cup final at Astley Park on Sunday when the last kick of the match went between the posts.
Brixham had gone behind in the first minute to a penalty but the lead changed hands eight times before the final whistle in an enthralling match played in near perfect conditions. The early Newton lead was overturned when winger Adam Chadwick went in for Brixham’s first try but two penalties from Longhurst for Newton Abbot saw them back in front midway through the first period. Captain Dan Stead, popping up in the threequarters regained the lead for Brixham but Newton soon regained it with a drop-goal – to lose it just as quickly when the other Brixham winger Paul Lidster crossed for a try converted by Dempsey. Making the most of their forward power Newton then levelled the scores with their first try – a pushover following a 5 metre lineout. With the seconds running out on the first half Brixham could have been ahead again but Dempsey’s penalty came back off the post and the sides turned round at 17 all.
The second period opened with Newton Abbot pressurising the Brixham defence and they soon built a ten point lead. Their fourth successful penalty kick was rapidly followed by their second try when a Brixham clearance kick out of defence was charged down, the try being converted.
Midway though the half Brixham regained the lead with two converted tries. A break by Bevon Armitage put Jake Lawrence in for the first and Armitage himself scored the second after Jonathan Bourne made a break and chipped ahead. Having nosed ahead again Brixham now had twenty minutes to secure their first Devon Cup for over 70 years but Newton were still in the game and successfully slotted one of the three penalties they were awarded in that period to narrow the deficit to a single point.
One last attack and Brixham were penalised yet again. One kick and the 2004 Cup dreams were over.

April 17th 2004
CONEY HILL 27 BRIXHAM 21

April 10th 2004 - DEVON CUP SEMI-FINAL

BRIXHAM 28 BARNSTAPLE 26

In the first five minutes Brixham scarcely laid hands on the ball and two penalty goals had given Barnstaple a six point lead but ten minutes later it was Brixham ahead by the same margin. A quickly taken throw-in resulted in Otto Rasch in the clear and shrugging off defenders he capped his 20 metre sprint with the opening try for Matt Dempsey to convert. Almost immediately from the restart the Brixham backs combined well to put winger Paul Lidster in for the second try.
Barnstaple narrowed the gap with a third penalty and as the first half neared its end took the lead again. A scrummage ball taken against the head and the Barnstaple Nunber 8 was in under the posts. An easy conversion and Brixham trailed 16-12 at the break.
A Dempsey penalty two minutes into the second period reduced the arrears but Barnstaple replied with interest with a second converted try. Dempsey’s second penalty pegged the visitors back and almost immediately from the restart Brixham were in front when Adam Chadwick on the right wing outpaced the Barnstaple defence for the third Brixham try – Dempsey again being successful with a difficult conversion.
Dempsey slotted his third penalty midway through the half and set up a nail-biting finale as Barnstaple strove to overcome the five point margin Brixham had opened up. Solid defence by the Brixham team – and attacks which pushed the visitors back into their own half – kept Barnstaple out. A late penalty goal by Barnstaple was too little to affect the result and Brixham can look forward to the Cup Final.
April 3rd 2004

BRIXHAM 22 THORNBURY 0
TORQUAY RESERVES 14 BRIXHAM RESERVES 14
BRIXHAM ALBION 22 THORNBURY VETS 34
NEWTON ABBOT COLTS 12 BRIXHAM COLTS 6

March 27th 2004 - DEVON CUP QUARTER FINAL

BRIXHAM 34 EXMOUTH 30

By the time the match was fourteen minutes old Brixham were already the same number of points in arrears. During that time they had failed to obtain, or retain, much possession and were on the defensive. A charged down clearance kick gave Exmouth their first try and a catch-and-drive from a 5 metre line-out brought the second – both being converted.
Having fallen behind early on Brixham responded aggressively but on 25 minutes lost a key player – Jason Barraclough – with a broken ankle. When play restarted his replacement Otto Rasch crashed over the line for a try following a quickly-taken penalty and with Matt Dempsey’s conversion Brixham had halved the deficit. Within three minutes it was wiped out. A crunching tackle by Bevan Armitage on an Exmouth player saw the ball spilt and picked up by Hank Hendricksen to run half the pitch and score under the posts to give Dempsey an easy conversion.
Exmouth were not to be undone by their sudden reversal of fortune and restored their lead with another lineout catch and drive but with the last kick of the first half Dempsey reduced their lead to 19-17 with a penalty goal.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second half , Brixham demonstrated that quick hands, spreading the ball wide, can reap its own rewards and opened up a sizeable lead. The first move ended up with Roger Chadwick crossing for a try in the left-hand corner. The second scoring move started in the same corner with a lineout and the ball passed across the field at pace for Dempsey to go over in the opposite one. With Dempsey converting both, and a subsequent penalty, Brixham had built a healthy lead.
As defending Cup-holders Exmouth were not willing to give up easily and the last quarter of the match tested the resolve of the Brixham defence. Although Exmouth scored an unconverted try and a penalty it was not enough to overhaul the Fishermen.

BRIXHAM RESERVES 15 BARNSTAPLE RESERVES 0
BRIXHAM ALBION 50 TOTNES RESERVES 10
PAIGNTON COLTS 20 BRIXHAM COLTS 24
BRIXHAM Under 15’s 21 NEWTON ABBOT 0

March 20th 2004

BERRY HILL 24 BRIXHAM 25
BRIXHAM ALBION 15 HONITON RESERVES 18

March 6th 2004

PENRYN 26 BRIXHAM 16
BRIXHAM ALBION 55 DUDLEY KINGSWINSFORD VETS 17
BRIXHAM COLTS 27 WELLINGTON COLTS 10

February 28th 2004

DARTMOUTH RESERVES 22 BRIXHAM ALBION 65
BRIXHAM COLTS 39 KINGSBRIDGE COLTS 10

Brixham maintained their challenge in the Devon Colts Merit Table with this win – though the match was rather closer than the scoreline might suggest.
The opening exchanges were fairly even but Kingsbridge went into the lead with a well-taken try and added the conversion. Though this spurred the home side on they gained nothing for their efforts and fell further behind after 25 minutes to a dropped goal. From the restart Brixham were back on the attack and opened their account when a forward drive was stopped illegally and a penalty try was awarded, converted by Ben Lovell.
Two breaks by Steve Skeet in the closing minutes of the half saw Brixham edge ahead. The first came from a Kingsbridge kick out of defence which he collected; pierced the first line of the Kingsbridge defence and offloaded to Steffon Armitage. After shrugging off the last two defenders Armitage crashed over in the corner. Skeet’s second break resulted in a penalty in front of the posts; gratefully kicked by Lovell to give Brixham a 15-10 lead at halftime.
The second period saw Brixham start brightly and extend their lead with a try after just five minutes. The next twenty minutes, however, saw Kingsbridge virtually camped in the Brixham 22 and only strong defence kept the line intact. When it seemed that Kingsbridge should get some reward for their efforts Brixham broke out and Armitage scored his second try; adding the conversion himself.
Having weathered the Kingsbridge storm, and extended their lead, Brixham now established more control and two tries in quick succession by Skeet (one converted by Armitage) sealed the victory

February 21st 2004
BRIXHAM 5 CREDITON 35
CREDITON RESERVES 0 BRIXHAM RESERVES 22
BRIXHAM ALBION 25 CREDITON III 5
CREDITON COLTS 18 BRIXHAM COLTS 10

February 14th 2004

HORNETS 33 BRIXHAM 19
BRIXHAM COLTS 63 TAVISTOCK COLTS 7

February 7th 2004

BRIXHAM 22 TAUNTON 3

After the rain of recent weeks the pitch at Astley Park was treacherous for both sides and the contest was fairly scrappy. Taunton had an opportunity to take the lead after a minute but the penalty attempt, into the wind, was missed. Brixham were straight back on the attack and Hank Hendricksen, making his debut for the first team, opened the scoring with a try after 5 minutes, converted by Jason Barraclough. Although they had both the wind and the slope in their favour Brixham struggled to breach the Taunton defence and the second score – a try by winger Paul Lidster – was some time in coming. A penalty from Barraclough just before half-time saw Brixham turn around 15-0 ahead.
Making the most of the conditions, Taunton had a far better second half but the only reward they got was a penalty after ten minutes. Having weathered the storm of their visitors it was Brixham who finished more strongly and the margin of victory was extended when prop Phil Allen went over from short range following a lineout and Barraclough converted with his most difficult kick of the day.
OTHER RESULTS:
TAUNTON RESERVES 18 BRIXHAM RESERVES 21
NEWTON ABBOT III 0 BRIXHAM ALBION 15
BRIXHAM COLTS 12 EXETER COLTS 5

BRIXHAM U15s 34 SIDMOUTH U15s 0

Brixham reached the semi-finals of the Devon Under 15 Cup with a solid victory over Sidmouth on Sunday morning. Brixham took the lead after just five minutes when number 8 Dan Guinney found himself on the end of a handling move to score in the left corner. They never looked back with two further tries in virtually the same spot in the next fifteen minutes and a fourth on the stroke of half-time. With two conversions by Richard Champion their lead at the break was 24-0 with the advantage of the wind and slope to come in the second period.
Despite these advantages Brixham found the going tougher after the break as Sidmouth’s backs ran the ball at the Brixham defence. Brixham extended their lead ten minutes into the half with their fifth try but it took them until the closing minutes to score their sixth – and possibly the best. Dan Grinrod took the ball on the halfway line and ran around the Sidmouth defence to seal the victory.
The other Brixham try scorers were Soper, Treharne and Duddlestone (2).
December 8th 2003

THORNBURY 17 BRIXHAM 24
BRIXHAM RESERVES 24 LAUNCESTON RESERVES 0

The strong easterly wind on Saturday made conditions difficult for both teams. Playing into the wind Brixham struggled to compete with the strong Launceston pack but still had slightly the better of the first half. A penalty by Roger Chadwick ten minutes into the match edged Brixham ahead and the slender lead was extended midway through the half when he slotted his second. With few scoring opportunities created by either side the nearest the visitors came to reducing the lead was a failed, long-range, penalty attempt.
In the second period Brixham not only had the advantage of the wind but were pushed forward by the rain and began to dominate proceedings. Three more shots at goal by Chadwick produced only one success and with twenty minutes remaining Brixham were still only 9-0 ahead and Launceston far from finished. An attempt by the visitors to spin the ball out to the wing resulted in Hank Hendricksen intercepting the final pass – and enabled to run 75 yards to score the first try of the game, gratefully converted by Chadwick.
With five minutes remaining a second try – from Guy Pallett – virtually wrapped the game up but Roger Chadwick had the final say with an injury-time penalty.
National Colts Plate

BRIXHAM COLTS 5 MINEHEAD BARBARIANS COLTS 11

Brixham went behind after just two minutes when Minehead went over for a try. Playing into the wind in the first half, Brixham repeatedly attacked but they were pegged back by the astute kicking and strong running backs of their visitors. Two penalties to Minehead saw them turn around 11-0 ahead.
In the second period Brixham had more of the possession but were unable to capitalise on it. Handling errors and penalties helped Minehead to soak up the pressure and it was not until ten minutes from the end that they got on the scoresheet with a try.
The final minutes saw Brixham continue to punch at the Minehead defence but it held firm to the final whistle.
This weekend Brixham are back at Astley Park in the fourth round of the Powergen Cup; playing host to Guildford & Godalming. The following week, December 22, sees league leaders Gloucester Old Boys at Astley Park.
November 1st 2003

EXMOUTH 7 BRIXHAM 41

Brixham travelled to Exmouth on Saturday with high hopes of maintaining the good start to the season they have been enjoying. Within five minutes, however, they were trailing 7-0. A quick reply – a try from Bevan Armitage - and a further try later in the first half gave them a 14-7 interval lead. In the second period the scoreboard was unchanged until the final fifteen minutes when Brixham ran in four tries to seal a victory that lifted them to the top of the League.

BRIXHAM RESERVES 83 EXMOUTH RESERVES 13

At Astley Park the Brixham second string had far too much power and pace for their Exmouth counterparts and maintained their unbeaten record this season, running in a total of 13 tries. The opening try might well have been the fastest ever scored at Astley Park. Brixham kicked off and from the ensuing maul Andy Hawkes burst clear with the ball to score in under 20 seconds. Two tries from Matt Vandenbrouck followed in quick succession and with just seven minutes gone Brixham already had a 17-0 lead.
While the scoring rate then slowed it was continuous and Hawkes rounded off the first half with his second try and Brixham led by 57 points to 8.
Tries from Tim Bumby and Roger Chadwick in the opening ten minutes of the second half extended the lead but Exmouth were far from knocked out and dominated the play for the next quarter of an hour – finally rewarded with their own second try. This score was enough to wake Brixham up and two more tries sealed the result which puts Brixham top of the West of England Second XV Merit Table, Southern Section.

EXMOUTH 3rds 8 BRIXHAM ALBION 3
BRIXHAM COLTS 69 EXMOUTH COLTS 22
October 25th 2003
BRIXHAM 19 STROUD 17

Brixham attacked from the start and with only a minute on the clock had an opportunity to go ahead but the penalty kick from Simon Mitchell sailed wide of the posts. The first score , however, was not long in coming but it was Stroud who were first on the board when their flanker went over for a try. A penalty from Mitchell, another Stroud try, another Mitchell penalty and a third Stroud try and the score was 17-6 to the visitors with under 20 minutes gone. Brixham’s defensive lapses looked to be giving Stroud another victory.
Although they were trailing Brixham started to have the better of the game from this point but received little reward as Mitchell failed with two more penalties before finally narrowing the gap with the last kick of the first half.
In the second period it was mainly Brixham on top and at one point they had a succession of penalties close to the Stroud line as the visitors continually infringed – but to no avail. With 15 minutes remaining the Stroud defence was finally breached when Chris Dorling crashed over from short range; the conversion by Mitchell putting Brixham just one point behind. Further pressure by the home team was finally rewarded five minutes from time when Mitchell slotted his fourth penalty to put Brixham ahead for the first time. With Stroud missing a relatively easy penalty two minutes later the League leaders had been toppled and the relief of the Brixham crowd was palpable.

October 11th 2003
TAUNTON 21 BRIXHAM 13
TAUNTON 3 XV 36 BRIXHAM ALBION 24

Meanwhile, at Astley Park, the Brixham Reserves kept the flag flying with a hard-fought win against their Taunton counterparts.

BRIXHAM RESERVES 19 TAUNTON RESERVES 6

The first twenty minutes of the game were played largely between the two 22-metre lines as neither side was able to create any breaks or scoring opportunities with the defences holding firm. Taunton took the lead with a penalty but the two sides swapped penalties and turned around level at 6 point all. Sean Onslow scored both Brixham goals.
The second half was almost a repeat of the first and the opening 20 minutes were just as point-less. With Brixham forced to make changes to their front-row the pack was coming under increasing pressure in the set pieces – though generally holding their own.
The introduction of substitute Steffon Armitage provided the vital spark Brixham needed and a breakout by Armitage from the Brixham 22 midway through the half led to an opportunity to take the lead. Although the penalty attempt was missed a second one ten minutes later was converted by Roger Chadwick. From the restart, Armitage ran through virtually the entire Taunton team to put Hank Hendricksen over for a try under the posts; Chadwick added the conversion. A second Chadwick penalty five minutes before the end added further gloss to the score.

October 4th 2003

Winning can be a good habit to get into and for the third week in a row all four of Brixham’s senior sides were victorious on Saturday.

BRIXHAM 36 HORNETS 10

Following the demolition of Crediton last week the Brixham team was largely unchanged for the visit of Hornets from Weston-super-Mare.
Brixham attacked from the start and after just five minutes were in the lead when Matt Dempsey ran in for a try which he successfully converted. Although both sides had their share of possession it was Brixham who were exerting the greater pressure and creating more scoring opportunities. A touch-down from winger Paul Lidster extended the lead midway through the first half but Hornets finished strongly and narrowed the gap with a converted try just before the break.
The second period saw Brixham again attacking from the start and a rolling maul for minutes in saw Cris Dorling powered over by the pack for a try. A penalty from Hornets brought the score back to 17-10 but in the final stages Brixham were well on top and three tries – from centre Bevan Armitage, captain Dan Stead and flanker Ben Chadwick – plus two conversions from Dempsey rounded off a comfortable victory which has put Brixham top of their league.

REDRUTH RESERVES 23 BRIXHAM RESERVES 43

Playing the reserve team of a National Leagues side away from home was never going to be an easy prospect but Brixham put in what team manager Nick Brown described as a "superb performance". Brixham’s problems were not eased by the late withdrawal of their hooker but Ashley McInally, playing his first ever game in that position, more than held his own.
Redruth dominated the opening period and soon opened up a thirteen point lead but Brixham stuck to the task and turned around just one point, 18-17, behind. The second period opened with a try from Lee Squires to give Brixham the lead and from that point on the Fishermen never looked back as they blew the visitors away. Lee Squires finished the game as the leading scorer with three tries, other scorers were Guy Pallett (2 tries), Hank Hendricksen (try), Sean Onslow (try and two conversions) and James Onslow (two conversions).

BRIXHAM COLTS 21 HORNETS COLTS 15

Just as the first team have started the season with 5 wins in a row, so have the Colts. With only three of last year’s Devon Cup winning team in the starting line-up Brixham have a relatively young side this season and Hornets provided tough opposition. Two penalties from Patrick Jenkins and tries by Alex Hamling, Michael Skeet and Marr Allunson were enough to see them through.

BRIXHAM ALBION 32 CULLOMPTON 0

This season Brixham Albion are playing in the Exe Valley Merit Table and they have started in fine style.
September 6th 2003

BRIXHAM 8 BERRY HILL 7

If Brixham were looking to get their season off to a flying start it was more like the Wright Brothers stuttering attempts than the flight of a modern aircraft. Brixham attacked from the start, uphill and into the wind, but achieved little for their efforts. Berry Hill missed the opportunity to take the lead through a long range penalty attempt but mere making little headway against the home side. Midway through the first period the Brixham pressure led to a penalty in front of the posts which Simon Mitchell converted to give the Fishermen a narrow lead which they carried through to halftime.
The second period saw more of the same with neither side able to make much use of their possession – until, fifteen minutes in, a break by Matt Dempsey put Simon Mitchell in for a try. Mitchell missed the conversion, and a penalty ten minutes later, but Brixham had increased their lead. Last time Berry Hill came to Astley Park they fought back in the second half from 15-0 down to earn a draw. They obviously remembered this as they came back strongly in the final stages and with just a couple of minutes left on the watch scored a converted try to reduce the Brixham lead to a single point. Brixham held on to secure the victory but will rue the missed chances they created.
With the Reserves game at Dartmouth postponed the only other teams in action on Saturday were the Albion side – held to a 17-all draw by Buckfastleigh and the Colts who were playing a friendly in Cornwall. The Colts rattled up over 60 points against Newquay to put them in high spirits for their defence of the Devon Cup.

2002/2003

12th April 2003 - Friendly

Brixham Albion 46 OPO's 10

5th April 2003 - Friendly

Brixham Reserves 34 Tavistock 28

30th March 2003 - League

Torquay 7 Brixham 32

When Brixham lost the services of Jason Barraclough with a serious knee injury within two minutes the signs looked ominous but his replacement - Lee Meagor - proved more than capable as Brixham underlined the gulf in class between themselves and their hosts. Within the first ten minutes the Brixham fans had more cause for concern when Chris Atkinson missed two relatively easy penalty attempts but on the quarter hour their fears were abated when Matthew Dempsey went over in the corner for a try and Atkinson's kicking boots returned as he slotted the conversion. Most of the territorial advantage, and possession, was with Brixham and Atkinson added to the score with a try of his own and a successful penalty goal and just before half-time Brixham extended their lead to 20-0 when second-row Tony Davis crashed over for the third Brixham try.
The second half saw Brixham still on top and the lead was extended five minutes in when Andrew Hawkes scored a try - converted by Atkinson. With the game virtually won, Brixham's grip was weakened by some debatable refereeing decisions which resulted in two Brixham players being sin-binned. While Brixham were down to 14 men Torquay were able to get on the scoreboard with a converted try but it was far too little, and too late, as Brixham quashed Torquay's hopes with some of the best rugby they have played all season.
Matthew Dempsey rounded the game off with his second try just before full-time but the score could easily have been much higher as Brixham had two tries disallowed in the last twenty minutes and had also missed opportunities in the first half.

Brixham Reserves 0 Torquay Reserves 10
Torquay Thirds 5 Brixham Albion 39

15th March 2003 - League

Brixham 26 Clevedon 31

For the first twenty minutes of the match, playing down the slope but into the wind, Brixham exerted more pressure than their visitors but were unable to score. They were again within the Clevedon half when the visiting number 8, picking the ball up from a scrum, broke clear and ran straight through the entire Brixham defence to score under the posts. Having taken the lead the remainder of the first half belonged to Clevedon who scored a second try ten minutes later and another just before half-time for a 19-0 interval lead.
The opening minutes of the second half saw their lead extended to 26 points with another converted try and with their backs always looking dangerous the scoreline was ominous for Brixham. Brixham have overturned this sort of deficit before and the fightback began with a Matt Dempsey try, converted by Chris Atkinson ten minutes later. Although Clevedon always looked dangerous in possession they began to lose their composure and with 15 minutes of the game left a series of penalty infringements close to their line cost them a penalty try and an easy conversion. Brixham immediately returned to the attack and both prop forwards - Phil Allen and Otto Rasch - drove in for tries from short range. With the first of these converted the scores were level and Brixham looked to have staged another great escape. Unfortunately the Somerset stormtroopers had the final word - scoring a try deep in injury time - but perhaps the better team won.

Brixham Albion 26 Buckfastleigh 37

8th March 2003 - Friendly

Totnes Reserves 15 Brixham Albion 54

1st March 2003 - League

Brixham 7 St Mary's OB 39

Brixham started the game brightly enough and failed to take the lead when their first attack broke down and they were unsuccessful with the resulting penalty kick. The rest of the first half was notable for the sight of the large St Mary's pack setting up rolling mauls and rumbling forward - a tactic that Brixham had some difficulty coping with. St Mary's are not a team based purely on forward power, however, and ten minutes into the half it was their winger who ran clear for the opening try. The conversion, and a penalty soon after, saw them ten points clear. On the half hour, as they tried to set their backs in motion again, St Mary's virtually gifted Brixham a try when Jake Lawrence intercepted and ran through to score under the posts; Jason Barraclough adding the conversion. As St Mary's were dominating the half this was somewhat against the run of the play and they extended their lead with a further penalty and a try from a catch and drive.
The second half saw Brixham winning a greater share of the possession and threatening the visitors' line but they were unable to break through the well organised and fierce defence. When St Mary's did mount an attack they always looked dangerous and their backs added three tries, all converted, in the second period to give Brixham one of their heaviest home defeats for several years.

Ivybridge Reserves 10 Brixham Reserves 20

23rd February 2003 - Devon Cup Semi-Final

Brixham 22 Exmouth 22

Within twenty minutes Brixham had conceded three tries to well-orchestrated moves by the Exmouth pack and looked out of sorts with themselves and the refereeing which cost them two yellow cards for forwards in the first half. Towards the end of the period Brixham were coming much more into the game and reduced the arrears through a Chris Atkinson penalty and a penalty try awarded after Exmouth continually infringed as they defended their line. With Atkinson gaining the two points for the conversion Brixham turned around 17-10 behind.
The second half saw the Exmouth forwards combining to score another try after just five minutes but Brixham were far from out of the match and in the ensuing quarter-hour had four kickable penalty chances as their attacking play was broken up in the Exmouth half. With three successful kicks Atkinson had reduced the Exmouth lead to just three points.
In a tense finale to the game the defences of both sides held firm but Brixham levelled the scores with Atkinson's fifth penalty of the afternoon but a draw was not good enough for Brixham as Exmouth proceed to the final as a result of scoring more tries in the match.
16th February 2003 - Devon Cup Quarter-Final

Brixham 18 Plymouth Albion 7

Brixham attacked from the start - down the slope and into the cold easterly wind - and for ten minutes were well on top but unable to convert possession into points. Although Thompson missed a penalty attempt for Plymouth Albion they took the lead when a Brixham move broke down in the centre and Olima ran in for a try; Thompson adding the conversion. Minutes later they could, and probably should, have extended their lead. Olima made a break but failed to find the supporting players and the Brixham defence held firm. At half-time, with Albion leading 7-0, both sides were reduced to 13 players as the referee punished them for naughty moments with yellow cards.
The second half saw Brixham on top in the opening exchanges and within ten minutes the scores were level when the Brixham backs combined to put Adam Chadwick over in the corner for a try converted by Chris Atkinson. Plymouth wasted the opportunity to regain the lead five minutes later when Thompson missed his second penalty attempt but it was Brixham who were in attack mode and they went ahead shortly afterwards. A drop-goal is rare enough at Astley Park but when it comes from Andy Baker it is all the more memorable. A penalty from Chris Atkinson extended the lead as Brixham continued to press the Plymouth defence and a couple of try-scoring opportunities were missed.
Deep into time added by the referee Dan Stead made the game safe for Brixham when he crashed through from five metres out for a try. His efforts to put the ball closer to the posts and make the conversion easier were unavailing, however, as Atkinson missed.
8th February 2003 - League

Crediton 36 Brixham 7
Brixham Reserves 14 Crediton Reserves 0
Crediton 3rds 24 Brixham Albion 10

1st February 2003 - League

Brixham 32 Hornets 22

Playing down the slope Brixham attacked from the start and with just over five minutes gone were already two scores ahead thanks to a try from Simon Mitchell and a penalty from Chris Atkinson. Hornets were clearly roused by this and hit back two minutes later with a penalty of their own. Although the Brixham pack had a somewhat makeshift look about it they were holding Hornets and after 25 minutes of play a storming run from prop N'Tau was finished off with excessive style under the posts by hooker Matt Vandenbrouck; Atkinson adding the conversion. Hornets' retaliation was swift and a converted try left Brixham with a slender 15-10 half-time lead.
From the restart Brixham were back on the attack and within fifteen minutes had pulled well ahead. N'tau, having created an opportunity in the first half was on the scoring end in the second with a try from short range. Brixham's second try of the half was created by a 50 metre break by the scrum-half - Matt Dempsey - who found Lee Meagor on his shoulder to finish off the move. With both tries converted by Chris Atkinson Brixham were 29-10 ahead with ten minutes of play remaining; though Hornets had been pressurising the Brixham defence.
A charged-down clearance kick gave Hornets their second try (and conversion) and soon after the restart another try followed with a catch-and-drive from a 5-metre lineout. Hornets had clearly stung Brixham who returned to the attack and increased their margin of victory with the last kick of the match - a penalty from Jason Barroclough.

26th January 2003 - Trials Match
Brixham Under 21's 20 Devon Under 21's 7

Brixham dominated the match to a far greater extent than the scoreline suggests and will have given the Devon selectors some concern. Tries from Hawkes, Congdon and Oakley, with a conversion and penalty from Armitage saw Brixham home.
25th January 2003 - Merit Table

Bridgwater Reserves 0 Brixham Reserves 54

Brixham overwhelmed Bridgwater with four tries from Jason Rowe, two apiece from Matthew Dempsey and Mike Booth and one from Glen Cooper. Dempsey converted three of the tries and also got a penalty goal.

Brixham Albion 42 Kingsbridge Reserves 38

The lead changed hands several times in this contest between the experience and guile of the "dream team" and the youthful legs of their visitors. With Kingsbridge leading 38-27 and just over ten minutes to go it looked all over but tries from Richard Mills and Sean Irvine (twice) Brixham pulled clear. Other try-scorers for Brixham were Lamswood, Young, Skeet, Perkes and Burden. Although he converted the first try, Skeets kicking boots were obviously lacking polish as he failed with the other seven - though he did at least hit the post with the last one.

Bridgwater Colts 5 Brixham Colts 18

18th January 2003 - League

Taunton 0 Brixham 6
Brixham Reserves 12 Taunton Reserves 0
Brixham Colts 10 Taunton Colts 3

11th January 2003 - League

Brixham 14 Stroud 18
Paignton Colts 3 Brixham Colts 48

4th January 2003 - League

Exmouth 10 Brixham 17

Despite having a pack weakened with three regular members missing, Brixham enhanced their chances of gaining promotion with this victory over the side placed second in the table. They started much the brighter of the two sides and in the first five minutes were ahead with a Chris Atkinson penalty. From this point on, however, they were on the back foot as Exmouth kept them imprisoned within their own half and only solid defence kept the home side at bay. With half-time approaching Brixham went back on the offensive and two further attacks both resulted in penalty goals from Chris Atkinson and a 9-0 half-time lead.
While Brixham had attacked from the start of the first half, Exmouth did so in the second but after five minutes found themselves even further behind when Bevon Armitage finished off a breakout with a well-deserved try. From the restart kick it was an Exmouth player who took the ball in the air and several passes later they scored a try to put them on the scoreboard.
Exmouth continued to attack the Brixham line for the following 15 minutes but the Brixham defence held out until Exmouth were awarded a throw-in 5 metres out and with a classic catch and drive they secured their second try. Despite the resurgence of the home side Brixham were able to threaten their line and with ten minutes remaining increased their lead again when Atkinson landed his fourth penalty. Both sides had opportunities in the final minutes but Brixham were largely able to keep Exmouth in their own half and secure the win.
Midway through the second half Bevon Armitage suffered a knee injury which resulted in him being stretchered off. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Brixham Reserves 15 Exmouth Reserves 22
Brixham Colts 64 Exmouth Colts 0
Exmouth Nomads 41 Brixham Albion 14

28th December 2002

Teignmouth Seconds 0 Brixham Albion 22
Brixham Colts 67 Ivybridge Colts 9

21st December 2002 - League

Brixham 28 Cleve 3

Drizzly rain and a saturated pitch were unlikely to make for a thrilling game but Brixham were clearly keen to put last week's disappointment behind them. Within the first five minutes the teams had both missed a penalty kick but this was a close as Cleve were to get to scoring in the first half. A fine handling move by the Brixham backs led to the first try when Adam Chadwick looped around the entire back division to make the overlap which gave him the touchdown in the "wrong" corner. Having missed the conversion Chris Atkinson increased the lead with a penalty midway through the half.
Jason Barraclough, back from injury, later extended it further with a fine solo effort, picking up a loose ball to sprint 40 metres for a try. The conversion being missed, Brixham turned around 13-0 ahead.
As in the first half, the first scoring opportunities of the second period were both penalty kicks. Unlike the first half, however, both sides were successful. Although Brixham continued to pressurise they were unable to score again until midway through the half when another handling move led to Chadwick's second try. Five minutes later, in his first home match, Na Ta'u - our on-loan Tongan prop forward - found his way over in the same corner for the fourth Brixham try. In conditions not conducive to kicking the conversion attempt was given to Jason Barraclough and to the surprise and cheers of the crowd the ball sailed between the posts for the final score.

Brixham Colts 18 Cleve Colts 8
Brixham Albion 18 Dartmouth 16

The Reserves also won, at Totnes, but the score is unknown!
15th December 2002

Ivybridge Under 16's 0 Brixham Under 16's 39

14th December 2002 - League

Gloucester Old Boys 18 Brixham 17

With Gloucestershire referees we might never win at Gloucester Old Boys but Brixham nearly managed it this time. Within five minutes Chris Atkinson had given us the lead with a penalty but for most of the first half we were penned into our own half and the Old Boys scored two, unconverted, tries. As the half-time whistle approached Brixham staged one of their rare forays into opposition territory and from a quickly taken tap penalty Mark Harvey was impeded and Brixham were awarded a penalty try. The two points for the conversion saw the scores level at 10 all at halftime.
Old Boys regained the lead with a penalty early in the second half but Brixham, playing up the slope, were faring rather better and midway through the half once again took the lead when Andy Baker burst through for a try, converted by Chris Atkinson. Old Boys then made the most of their home advantage and secured the victory with their third try.

Brixham Colts 45 Tiverton Colts 0
Buckfastleigh 27 Brixham Albion 26

This match was abandoned because of a lengthy delay when Albion's Richard Simonette broke his leg in the first half. We wish him a speedy recovery.
7th December 2002 - League

Brixham 31 Torquay 0

A cold north-easterly wind and fine drizzle was not the ideal accompaniment to this League, and Brewer Cup, match. Within five minutes Brixham had set out their stall when man-of-the-match Tony Davis crashed over for a try. Despite having the slope in their favour, however, it was not until halfway through the half that Brixham were again able to breach the Torquay defence. Winger Tim Bumby got on the end of a good handling move, going over for his first try for Brixham.
The third try followed less than ten minutes later when full-back Simon Mitchell went over and as the half drew to its close the "champagne moment" saw Lee Squires scoop up a loose ball from a ruck. His 40 metre sprint to the line was notable for the sidestep which took him past the last Torquay defender. With Chris Atkinson accurate with all four conversion attempts Brixham turned round with a 28-0 lead.
The second half, by contrast, was rather dour and though Torquay had more than their share of possession they were unable to convert this into much territorial advantage, let alone points. Brixham had their opportunities in the second period but Chris Atkinson was less accurate with the wind at his back - missing a conversion ten minutes into the half. Ten minutes later he rediscovered his touch with another penalty attempt and the last score of the match.

Torquay Colts 3 Brixham Colts 17

This merit table victory was the tenth successive win for the Brixham Colts.
30th November 2002 - League

Matson 14 Brixham 25

After just five minutes Brixham moved ahead of their Gloucester opponents when Otto Rasch went over for a try from 15 metres out. As Brixham dominated the first half the score was increased by two further tries - firstly by Simon Mitchell's angled run to the posts and then by the new hooker on loan from Plymouth, Glen Cooper, from a catch and drive. With Chris Atkinson slotting over two conversions Brixham were well in control until Matson struck back just before the break with a converted try.
After the restart Matson reduced the Brixham lead still further with another converted try but, although the first half was much closer, Brixham never looked like surrendering the victory and a penalty from Chris Atkinson enhanced the margin.

Brixham Reserves 5 Exeter University 20
Salcombe 48 Brixham Albion 15

23rd November 2002 - League

Brixham 16 Gloucester Old Boys 0

Just as Cleve had done the week before, the Old Boys attacked Brixham straight from the kick-off and their performance in the first ten minutes belied their lowly league position. Thereafter Brixham began to attack and were rewarded when Tony Davis bulldozed over for the opening score. Chris Atkinson, unusually, failed with the conversion as he did with a penalty ten minutes later. At half-time the score remained at 5-0.
From the restart Brixham were back on the attack - as they were for most of the second period. A Chris Atkinson penalty extended the Brixham lead seven minutes into the half and another, fifteen minutes later seemed to be all of the reward that Brixham would get for their efforts as handling errors and penalties prevented them crossing the Old Boys line. Brixham, however, had saved their best move for the final minutes when the ball was spun wide from a throw-in for Simon Mitchell to go over for a try in the corner.
16th November 2002 - League

Cleve 17 Brixham 20

Within two minutes of the kick-off Cleve had embarrassed Brixham with a well-taken, and converted try. Playing into the wind Brixham found it difficult to make much headway against a team struggling at the bottom of the table. Midway though the first half both sides missed penalty kicks but on the half-hour Cleve extended their lead to 12-0 with another try. Almost immediately Brixham opened their account when Adam Chadwick won the race for his own chip ahead and scored a try. Cleve, continuing to attack at every opportunity missed two further penalties as the first half petered out.
Within five minutes of the restart Brixham were back on level terms when Chadwick scored his second try under the posts, giving Chris Atkinson an easy conversion. Cleve, however, soon restored their lead with another unconverted try. With Brixham enjoying more of the possession in the second half, equality was achieved when Chadwick completed his hat-trick of tries.
With ten minutes remaining Brixham took the lead for the first time in the match when Atkinson slotted a penalty goal - spurring Cleve into almost continual attack for the remainder of the match - only to be denied by stout defence and the goalpost which denied them a penalty in the final minute.

Brixham Reserves 43 Newton Abbot Reserves 17

With no Colts match this weekend the Reserves gave senior-level experience to no fewer than seven of the colts in what turned out to be a fairly emphatic victory.

Brixham Albion 46 Ivybridge III's 10

10th November 2002 - Friendly

Brixham Under 21's 17 Royal Navy Under 21's 0

With no senior games this weekend this match was the highlight at Astley Park. The Brixham side was very much a scratch team with some players playing out of their usual positions and comprised a mixture of both current Colts and players who were recently so.
With an inexperienced front row the Brixham pack did very well. Brixham took the lead in the first half through a converted penalty try and extended their lead in the second with two further tries. Solid defence and strong tackling kept the Navy at bay throughout.
2nd November 2002 - League

Brixham 12 Exmouth 10

With the return of two forwards who had been unavailable last week, Brixham returned to winning ways by toppling the erstwhile League leaders. If you read the account in the local paper you might get the impression that this was solely due to the accuracy of Chris Atkinson who scored four penalties and that Exmouth were the better team.
If you were there you would have seen how Brixham were stopping the rolling mauls and preventing Exmouth making any headway from back-row moves off the scrums. Although Exmouth did manage to score the only try of the match this came on one of just three occasions on which they were in the Brixham half during the second period.

Exmouth Reserves 21 Brixham Reserves 14
Brixham Albion 3 Exmouth III's 10

26th October 2002 - League

Stroud 56 Brixham 26

A heavy defeat against a side looking to regain their position in South West One brought Brixham's run of victories to a halt. Although Brixham held the lead during the first half Stroud were always well on top and three converted tries in quick succession after the break by Stroud put the game out of reach.

Brixham Reserves 84 Exeter University Seconds 12
Brixham Albion 38 OPO's 12

19th October 2002 - Merit Table

Brixham Reserves 34 Bridgwater Reserves 18

A try after just five minutes saw Brixham Reserves get off to a flying start in their Merit Table clash with the previously unbeaten league leaders from Somerset. Tim Bumby’s try was converted by James Onslow. Two penalties narrowed the lead before Onslow again got onto the scoreboard with an unconverted try and a penalty to give Brixham a 15-6 halftime lead.
The second half started in much the same way as the first with Brixham scoring a try within 5 minutes of the restart through Lee Squires. End-to-end play saw both sides scoring two further tries – a second one to Lee Squires and one from Paul Bayley, both converted by Onslow giving Brixham a well-deserved victory
12th October 2002 - League

Brixham 28 Taunton 7

In a somewhat scrappy game at Astley Park, Brixham won their third game in a row to move up to fifth position in the league.
Brixham started much the better but were unable to break through the Taunton defence and their only reward for sustained pressure in the first quarter was two penalties from Chris Atkinson. On the half-hour they were further rewarded when a clearance kick from Davies was charged down and Mike Cox pounced on the loose ball to score an unconverted try.
Midway though the second half Brixham extended their lead when prop Otto Rasch went over for a try from a quickly taken tap penalty with Atkinson adding the conversion. Five minutes later Atkinson completed his hat trick of penalties but this score served to spur Taunton on. After a succession of tap penalties inside the Brixham 22 they overcame the Brixham defence and got on the scoreboard with a converted try.
Brixham then returned to the attack and with just 5 minutes left Rasch again got over the line and ran the ball under the posts to give Atkinson an easy conversion.
5th October 2002 - League

Weston Hornets 13 Brixham 32

28th September 2002 - League

Brixham 44 Crediton 10
Crediton Reserves 7 Brixham Reserves 15

14th September 2002 - League

St Mary's OB 38 Brixham 10

7th September 2002 - League

Clevedon 32 Brixham 10

Although Clevedon were on the attack straight from the kick-off it was Brixham who took the lead after 10 minutes with a Chris Atkinson penalty goal. Clevedon levelled the scores almost immediately but despite a series of attacks the only other score they achieved in the first half was a converted try just over half-way through the first period.
With Brixham under pressure in the scrums and failing to secure much possession from their own line-outs a 10-3 deficit at half-time owed most to the defence. In the second half the wind swung round into Clevedon's favour and two more converted tries and a penalty goal increased their lead. As the match drew towards its close Brixham produced some attacking plays and were eventually rewarded with a try from debutant Mike Cox, converted by Chris Atkinson. This was not the final score, however, as Clevedon closed the game with an opportunist try.

Brixham Reserves 56 Teignmouth 5
Brixham ran in nine tries as Teignmouth were taken apart.

31st August 2002 - Powergen Cup, Qualifying Round

Swanage & Wareham 32 Brixham 14

Brixham went behind almost straight from the kick-off to a penalty goal. Swanage continued to press forward and were eventually rewarded with a converted try just over half-way through the first period. This was the incentive Brixham needed to attack themselves and the Swanage advantage was narrowed to a single point by three Chris Atkinson penalties. On the stroke of half-time, however, Swanage replied with a penalty of their own to turn round 13-9 ahead.
The second period saw Brixham struggling to obtain possession and visits to the Swanage half were few and short. Valiant defence kept Swanage at bay but was not enough to stop them scoring three further tries (two of which were converted). As the match drew to a close Brixham showed that, although the match was lost, they had not lost their appetite for the game and rounded the match off with an unconverted try.

2001/2002

May 12th 2002 - Devon Cup Final

Brixham 16 Barnstaple 25

A bright sunny day saw both sides sign off their season in a repeat of last year's Devon Cup Final. Playing with the slope in the first half, assisted by a spate of penalties following Brixham infringements, Barnstaple dominated the half. They opened the scoring after just six minutes with a drop-goal and midway through the half their pacy backs scored the first try. Three more tries followed and Brixham looked out of the match at halftime as Barum led 25-0.
The second half saw a change in the Brixham fortunes and they exerted most of the pressure and quickly opened their account with a penalty. The backs were able to make little impression on Barnstaple and 10 minutes later it was a combination of forward drives that led to Brixham's try. Two more penalties reduced the Barnstaple lead but Brixham were unable to break through their defence as Barnstaple successfully defended the Cup
Brixham's points were scored by Tony Davis with a try converted by Matt Dempsey who also kicked three penalties.
April 13th 2002 - League

Truro 20 Brixham 14

Brixham's tries were scored by Gary Williams and a penalty try. Jake Lawrence kicked two conversions.
April 13th 2002 - League

Matson 37 Brixham 18

April 6th 2002 - League

Brixham 48 Torquay 7

Having won at Torquay earlier in the season Brixham were quick off the mark to repeat the performance with a try after just one minute - converted into the strong easterly wind that disrupted the lineouts throughout the match. Torquay did well in the set-pieces and with the benefit of the wind were able to launch assaults on the Brixham line. These were singularly unsuccessful - as were their three penalty attempts and Brixham extended their lead midway through the half. The end of the first half saw another Brixham threequarter move end with a try and a 17-0 lead.
The second half started with Brixham seeking to use the advantage of the wind to extend their lead but it was not until midway though that they were able to do so when a deliberate knock-on by Torquay resulted in a penalty try. Another move by the backs then enabled Simon Mitchell to notch up his hat-trick of tries but this was soon followed by a further penalty try - this time to Torquay.
This spurred Brixham to a more open attacking game and three tries were run in the final five minutes of the match.
Brixham's tries were scored by Simon Mitchell (3), Adam Chadwick (2), Roger Readwin, Tony Davies and the penalty try. Matthew Dempsey kicked four conversions.
March 16th 2002 - League

Berry Hill 20 Brixham 9

March 9th 2002 - League

Cheltenham North 27 Brixham 16

March 2nd 2002 - League

Brixham 23 Crediton 16

Brixham started the game in the sort of form that gave them a glut of points in the last three games and fluid three-quarter moves led to three tries in the first twenty minutes - to which Crediton's only response was a penalty. From this point on it was increasingly Crediton who exerted pressure and a converted try reduced the deficit to just five points at half-time.
The second half started with Crediton looking to use the advantage of the slope to cut Brixham's lead. Although they did much of the attacking they were unable to cross the Brixham line and with two penalties had taken the lead with ten minutes to go. This spurred Brixham to an attacking frenzy and a two point lead was restored with a penalty. With the last move of the match Adam Chadwick scored the try that made the game safe, and bolstered the points difference in the league table slightly.
Brixham's tries were scored by Adam Chadwick (2), Simon Mitchell and Dudley Hoare. Matt Dempsey kicked one penalty.
February 23rd 2002 - League

Hornets 5 Brixham 75

The biting cold wind blowing fiercely straight across the pitch was to neither sides advantage and Brixham opened strongly - but to no effect. When Hornets attacked good work by their forwards resulted in a short-range try and a 5 point lead. For much of the rest of the first period Brixham continued on the offensive and took the lead - extended in the last few minutes to 22-5.
The second half saw Brixham at their best with spells of multiphase play, penetrating running by both backs and forwards and good support. At times Hornets seemed to know nothing of what was happening as Brixham ran in nine tries in what was probably their best performance of the season.
The ten try-scorers on the scoresheet underline how much this was an all-round effort.
Brixham's twelve tries were scored by Simon Mitchell (2), Adam Chadwick (2), Matt Dempsey, Ashley McInally, Andrew Hawkes, Dudley Hoare, Jake Lawrence, Lee Squires, Dan Stead and Gary Williams. Matt Dempsey got five conversions and one penalty; Simon Mitchell got one conversion.
February 16th 2002 - League

Brixham 36 Camborne 3

After just two minutes Brixham opened the gates of the Camborne defence when Ashley McInally crashed though from short range. The rearranged Brixham pack, featuring two new signings, held its own in the set pieces but Camborne repeatedly made progress through forward drives and it was Brixham's backs who were responsible for the three tries whgich extended the half-time lead to 24-0
The second half started with Camborne looking to use the advantage of the slope to cut Brixham's lead - which they achieved courtesy of a penalty. Almost straight from the restart, however, Brixham increased their advantage with another well-taken try and this was soon followed by their sixth. For most of the rest of the match Camborne continued to press forward but were unable to add any scores.
Brixham's six tries were scored by Simon Mitchell (2), Adam Chadwick, Ashley McInally, Rob Savage and Gary Williams. Simon Mitchell got three conversions.
February 9th 2002 - League

Brixham 68 Taunton 8

With the wind and the slope in their favour Brixham were slow to get into gear and as halftime loomed - and a 16-0 lead - it looked as if they had not done enough. A golden spell - with three tries - extended the lead to 35 points and Brixham looked to have secured a sufficient cushion.
The second period started as expected with Taunton using the elements to put pressure on the Brixham line though their only reward for their efforts came in the shape of a penalty. This score fired up Brixham who launched long-range, multi-pass attacks and started to run in more tries and it was not until they had passed the sixty-mark that Taunton again got on the scoreboard.
Brixham's nine tries were scored by Simon Mitchell (2), Dan Stead (2), Andy Baker, Adam Chadwick, Jake Lawrence, Lee Squires and Gary Williams. Matt Dempsey got three penalties and seven conversions.
January 12th 2002 - League

Cleve 22 Brixham 16

Brixham could have won this third match between the sides but were unable to make the most of their chances in a late rally. Playing into the wind Brixham looked to have done well to be trailing 8-3 just before half-time but a converted try from Cleve extended their lead. A penalty from Matthew Dempsey narrowed the gap early in the second quarter but Cleve got to 22-6 with another try. A try from Adam Chadwick and another penalty were all that Brixham could muster though other chances went begging as Brixham finished the game on the attack.
January 5th 2002 - League

Brixham 33 Gloucester Old Boys 11

Brixham won this return match despite the absence of Chris Atkinson and with two new faces (for this season) in the backs. Dudley Hoare opened the scoring for Brixham with an early try but by half-time, playing down the slope, Brixham only had a narrow 8-6 lead. Brixham opened the second half on the offensive but a missed pass saw the Old Boys run through to take the lead against the run of the play. Brixham continued to attack and both wingers - Hoare and Chadwick - scored tries as did centre Andy Baker and Rob Savage as Brixham rattled up the points in the last 20 minutes.
December 30th 2001- Devon Cup

Teignmouth 8 Brixham 28

Chris Atkinson maintained his record of kicking penalties, and three from four attempts (one from the halfway line) put Brixham in the driving seat. Before half-time Adam Chadwick got in at the corner for an unconverted try and Brixham turned round 14-0 up.
A try under the posts by Gary Williams - who had run around the defence to get there - this time converted; increased the Brixham lead but they were put under some pressure by Teignmouth who got on the scoreboard with a penalty. Andy Monnington of Teignmouth was next on the scoresheet, snapping up a loose ball just outside his own 22 when a Brixham attack broke down and running in for a well-deserved try. The final score of the game was another try beneath the posts by Lee Squires whose 15 metre sprint to the line was only slightly impeded by the attentions of the Teignmouth defenders.
December 22nd 2001- League

Torquay 20 Brixham 33

A bright but cold day at the Rec brought Torquay little Christmas cheer, though their spirits may have been lifted by the two late tries that gave them a more respectable scoreline. With Chris Atkinson continuing to slot penalties, as he had last week, Torquay soon found themselves 6 points down but took the lead when a defensive error led to a converted try. Further penalties either side of half-time restored Brixhams lead which was further extended by a converted Adam Chadwick try. Torquay replied with a penalty of their own but with Brixham firmly in control Matt Dempsey scored two converted tries in quick succession. As Brixham relaxed somewhat having built a healthy cushion Torquay got their late brace but it was too little, too late.
December 15th 2001- League

Brixham 23 Cleve 17

Brixham won this rematch thanks largely to the boot of Chris Atkinson who put over 5 penalties (one from the Brixham half) and a 45 metre drop goal. The other score was a fine try run in by Adam Chadwick. Although Brixham had applied most of the early pressure they could not convert this into points and Cleve built a good first-half lead with two tries. Early in the second half they made it 17-3 with a third try but Brixham made the most of the strong wind at their backs during the second period as they overhauled Cleve.
December 8th 2001- League

Brixham 29 Matson 7

A quickly taken tap penalty enabled Chris Atkinson to run in the first Brixham try after just ten minutes of the match and their next attack resulted in a penalty for Brixham to establish an 8-0 lead. Most of the rest of the first half saw Matson putting pressure on Brixham and just before half-time they were rewarded with a converted try.
The second half was very much Brixham's and another Chris Atkinson penalty was followed by the second try when Andy Baker swooped on a poor clearance to run in unopposed. Another penalty extended the lead, consolidated by a Lee Squires try. A fourth penalty completed the scoring. Brixham are in red in the pictures - follow link below.
December 1st 2001- League

Gloucester Old Boys 35 Brixham 23

November 24th 2001- Friendly

Ivybridge 7 Brixham 9

November 17th 2001- League

Brixham 10 Cleve 25

Although Brixham lost on the day they will have to wait for the League to rule on the validity of the result. Much of the match was played with uncontested scrums after Cleve lost two props with leg injuries - the first after less than 5 minutes!
November 10th 2001- League

Camborne 12 Brixham 36

A last minute try by Camborne produced a scoreline which flattered the hosts in a match which Brixham had dominated throughout. Although Camborne had somewhat the better of the opening half it was Brixham who made the most of their scoring opportunities and with four tries had established a comfortable 24-0 lead by half time. Two more tries followed in the second half against one by Camborne but Brixham may rue the ones that "went missing" if the final league places are determined by points difference.
October 27th 2001- League

Brixham 20 Truro 15

A fumble by the Truro backs; possession snapped up by Brixham and fed out wide gave Adam Chadwick the opportunity to go over for the last minute try which gave Brixham victory over the erstwhile League leaders.
Truro had slightly the better of the game but two penalties by Chris Atkinson gave Brixham a 6-0 halftime lead. This did not last long however as Truro opened the second half with two tries - one of which was converted. Brixham refused to buckle and two further penalties put the sides back on level terms. Truro looked to have secured victory with a long-range dropped goal but Brixham had the last score and lead the table.
October 20th 2001- League

Taunton 23 Brixham 31

A catch and drive after a line-out, following a forward drive of over 40 yards from the halfway line, led to the try which sealed the victory over both dogged opponents and some "interesting" refereeing decisions that had both teams and their supporters scratching their heads.
Taunton's spoiling tactics made it difficult for Brixham to build any multi-phase possession and the game went from end-to end with a draw looking the most satisfactory outcome until the final minutes when Brixham's superior discipline saw them through.
According to the Sunday Independent the referee "finished the match by not only showing Taunton lock Pete Harrison his yellow card but also baffled the crowd by calling him back to wave the red one." Not so as those present witnessed - the red card was for swearing at the referee after being given the yellow. Only minutes earlier Taunton had been penalised for exactly the same offence when Brixham had been awarded a penalty underneath the posts.
October 6th 2001- League

Brixham 35 Hornets 34

In a thrilling, end-to-end, match between two evenly matched teams Brixham emerged as narrow winners. Well not quite!
Hornets dominated the first hour of the match and scored two quick tries as their backs virtually danced through the Brixham defence. When Brixham counter-attacked they made the scoreline even worse by conceding two more tries - courtesy of intercepted passes. The best news at this point was that Hornets had only converted once. As the first half drew to a close Brixham did manage to post some points when Adam Chadwick ran in from long range.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Hornets scoring two more tries to lead by 34-7 and they looked to have the game sewn up. Two tries in as many minutes from Dan Stead and Adam Chadwick - both converted by Chris Atkinson - set the Hornets buzzing and with the crowd now behind them Brixham further narrowed the gap when Chris Atkinson converted his own try.
With the seconds ticking away Matthew Caunter broke through the Hornets defence for his first league try, Atkinson converted and Brixham had secured the victory.
September 29th 2001- League

Crediton 6 Brixham 22

Crediton's run of success came to an abrupt halt against a well-drilled Brixham, who opened with a penalty from fly half Atkinson. He extended the lead with a further penalty after 20 minutes.
Then Crediton lost their own line-out, Brixham came away with the ball and a good handling move saw Atkinson score in the corner. Two more penalties from Atkinson extended Brixham's lead to 17 points at the interval.
With the wind behind them in the second half, Crediton began to come into the game and were rewarded with two Gibson penalties. But Brixham wrapped up victory five minutes from time with a try from hooker Dan Stead.
Crediton pens, Gibson 2, Brixham tries, Atkinson, Stead; pens, Atkinson 4
September 15th 2001- Friendly

Brixham 21 Weston-super-Mare 5

Relegated Weston-super-Mare's poor start to the season continued when they were well beaten by Brixbam in a lively friendly.
The visitors could only manage one try from a drive over by the pack on the half hour by flanker Gavin Simpson, which saw them trail 10-5 at the break.
Fly half Chris Atkinson, a new recruit from Plymouth Albion, did most of the damage for the Fishermen, converting an early three-quarter try by winger Adam Chadwick and then kicking three penalties in the blustery conditions.
The other home points went to young scrum half Sean Onslow. He was on the shoulder of lock Tony Davis, who opened up the Weston defence with a 40 yard run down the middle near the end.
Brixham tries Chadwick, Onslow con Atkinson, pens Atkinson 3. Weston-super-Mare try Simpson.
September 8th 2001- League

Brixham 15 Berry Hill 15

BRIXHAM were lucky to escape defeat after dominating for a hour, only to fall away badly in the last quarter Brixham had points on the board in less than two minutes with a penalty by fly half Chris Atkinson.
The Fishermen were in almost total control with the slope and the wind at their backs but poor finishing meant they had to wait until the end of the second quarter for their next try which came when scrum half Sean Onslow pounced on a defensive mistake behind the Berry Hill line for Atkinson to add the points.
A third try through full back Gary Williams, with a dash from the 22 arrived just before the break to give the Devon side a 15-0 interval lead.
They should have improved upon this when continuing to dominate in the third quarter but the visitors hit back when hooker Ben Lewis skipped round the front of a line-out to go over by the corner flag.
Berry Hill quickly added a penalty through fly half Lee Osborne and then scored a try after a fine 50-yard back line move with centre Anthony Lane getting the final touch down.
Brixham tries Onslow, Williams con Atkinson pen Atkinson Berry Hill tries Lewis, Lane con Osborne pen Osborne

2000/2001

Sunday May 13th 2001 - DEVON CUP FINAL

Barnstaple 30 Brixham 18

The final score flattered the home side who were made to fight all the way to retain the Devon Cup. After falling behind to an early penalty Brixham had much the better of the first half and with two tries and a penalty led 15-3 at the break. In the second half Barnstaple came back at Brixham and with their two tries went into an 18-15 lead. A late penalty by Matt Dempsey took the game into extra time.
At the end of the first period of extra time a loose pass was picked up by the Barnstaple wing who ran virtually the length of the pitch to score under the posts and a further try was added right at the end.
Tuesday May 2nd 2001

Brixham 5 Stroud 15

Brixham finished the league season with a defeat. Little went right for the Fishermen in bitter conditions with the loss of Peter Chart with a leg injury after only 15 minutes.The winger was playing his last home game before leaving for a job in Australia and had hoped to make a big impact.Yet by then his team were already trailing nil-10 after conceding a try through throwing a wild pass inside their own 22 and then a penalty for offside.Brixham battled back gamely but dropped further behind just before the interval when poor covering let the visitors go over by the corner flag.The second half was one of increasing mistakes by both teams but Brixham put together one good move in the closing stages which gave young winger Guy Pallett his debut try with a touchline run from the 22.For Stroud it was sweet revenge for their shock home defeat by the Fishermen in the first leg and victory gives them home advantage in their promotion play off with Slough.
Saturday April 21st 2001

Penryn 33 Brixham 7

Saturday April 14th 2001

Brixham 39 Torquay 25

In the annual Brewer Cup match Brixham rubbed salt into the wounds of already-relegated Torquay. Although Torquay opened the scoring "Brixham were red-hot from the first whistle to pulverise the visitors' defence". Tries from Baker, Williams, Chadwick, Savage and McInally with two penalties and four conversions from Dempsey made up the Brixham total
Sunday April 8th 2001

Exmouth 11 Brixham 11

In this Devon Cup semi-final Brixham struggled to find their true form and were always in arrears. Brixham showed their class with some fine running by their backs but lacked continuous possession and were unable to mount any sustained pressure. A penalty by Brixham just minutes from the end levelled the scores at 8 all but Exmouth appeared to have secured the victory soon after with a more difficult kick into the wind. A final attack from Brixham resulted in a further penalty and with the last kick of the match Matt Dempsey secured the draw which puts Brixham into the final.
Saturday March 31st 2001

Brixham 25 Cheltenham North 7

In a match which started half-an-hour late, Cheltenham North opened the scoring with an interception try. Despite the wind and continuous driving drizzle there were several good movements by the Brixham side and tries by Matt Dempsey and Jonathon Gardner - plus two penalties - gave Brixham a 20-7 halftime lead. The second-half was less exciting and the only score was a try by Ben Moon.
This result boosted Brixham to fourth place in the League - their highest position this season.
Saturday March 17th 2001

Matson 0 Brixham 14

On a bitterly cold afternoon and after arriving late in a coach with air-conditioning problems, Brixham made up for last weekend's disappointment. Playing up the slope, Brixham took the lead in the first half with a Jake Lawrence try converted by Matt Dempsey. In the second half Matson exerted considerable pressure on the Brixham line but the defence was excellent and a breakaway try by Ben Moon, engineered by Gary Williams secured the victory.
Saturday March 10th 2001

Hornets 17 Brixham 8

The hangover, or aftermath, from last Sunday's victory took its toll as the Fishermen lost yet again to Hornets. Brixham took an early lead through a Matt Dempsey penalty but struggled to obtain useable possession throughout a scrappy match which Hornets deservedly won.
Sunday March 4th 2001

Plymouth Albion 12 Brixham 38

Despite fielding a side with first-team experience, Plymouth coach Graham Dawe admitted that he had not shown Brixham sufficient respect and his side crashed out of the Devon Cup on an excellent weekend for all of the Brixham teams.
Brixham will play Barnstaple or Crediton in the next round.
Saturday February 24th 2001

Brixham 65 Camborne 12

Brixham completed the double over Camborne in fine style with a try count of 11-2 in conditions ideal for running rugby.
The rampant Fishermen started with a rush and by half-time were 29-7 ahead with their shell-shocked visitors hardly able to get into the game.
Brixham's man of the match was scrum-half Matt Dempsey who scored four tries as well as kicking four conversions with the other conversion going to centre Andy Baker.
Winger Adam Chadwick went over for two touchdowns with the rest going to Baker, winger Ben Moon, fly-half Jake Lawrence, full-back Gary Williams, number eight Andrew Penhaligon, flanker Jonathon Gardner and lock Tony Davis.