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^th when the opposition will be Exeter – who narrowly beat Teignmouth in the other semi-final.

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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^th 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^th 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.

Team lists - as per programme   

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.

Team lists - as per programme   

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^th 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.

Team lists - as per programme:

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.

Team lists - as per programme:

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 playi