BRIXHAM RUGBY CLUB

TEAM CONTACTS

ADAM MUDGE
01803 851425 07980754731
amudge@bishopfleming.co.uk

MATT DODD
01803 854547 07967755605
m_doddy@lineone.net

7th March 2010 BRIXHAM 50 BIDEFORD 0 Devon Plate Q/Final
According to some supporters Bideford have not played well since the Christmas & cold weather break. It showed as Brixham scored at regular intervals through the game. There were moments when Bideford showed potential but not enough to trouble Brixham. Tries from over half the team and kicks from Tom Akery saw the Fishermen safely through. Try scorers were Tom Akery, Joel Armitage, Craig Armstrong, Matt Harvey, Sam Hooper, Mac Lewis, Harry Welch and Sam Unwin.

31st Jan 2010 BRIXHAM 14 KINGSBRIDGE 10
Both sides showed their full commitment in this match on a hard, but frost free pitch.
Kigsbridge enjoyed the early stages and their backs combined to run in two tries before Brixham got their act together. With neither try converted, the deficit was not insurmountable and Brixham began to get a foothold in the game with their forwards and backs linking up well. Before the break they combined to put winger Sam Hooper over for a try in the corner - the superb handling move saw the ball pass through all of the backs' hands. Fly half Tom Akery landed the difficult conversion to put Brixham back in contention.
In the second period the rucking of the Brixham forwards contributed greatly to the domination which Brixham achieved but solid and committed defence by Kingsbridge prevented any score until the 20th minute. Good work by No 8 Elliott Bryant and a surge by the other forwards propelled flanker Matt Harvey in under the posts. Akery added the conversion but Brixham had to work hard in the remaining time to withstand the concerted pressure and repel Kingsbridge.

31st Oct 2009 BRIXHAM 5 READING 29

Report to follow

25th Oct 2009 BRIXHAM 41 CREDITON 7
Brixham took to the field confident after last weeks win over Exeter Chiefs and that showed in the early play. Playing with a strong wind at their backs Brixham attacked from the kick off.
Brixham went ahead from a fine individual break from the opponents 22 by centre George Wardle who scored under the posts, converted by Tom Akery. This score was quickly followed up by the forwards when Matt Harvey touched down following a driving maul.
Brixham continued to dominate as Crediton struggled with the wind. Three more tries were scored before half time by captain and fly half Akery, wing Sam Hooper and the best from a flowing backs move by opposite wing Jack Tiltman. Two of these converted by Akery. Half Time 31.0
The half time change of ends meant Crediton now had the wind and they started the second half excellently, using their well drilled forwards to good effect. In fact Crediton dominated much of the second period and eventually scored a well worked forwards try, converted, to bring the score to 31.7.
The game became a little scrappy and the scoring dried up as both sets of forwards did battle.
The last 5 minutes saw Brixham pull clear once more. Running from their own try line Wardle made a half break, beat a couple of tackles and ran the length of the field. Another backs move from their own 22 saw Sam Hooper go over for his second try. Both these tries converted by scrum half Craig Armstrong.

Brixham look forward to the visit next SATURDAY (31st) of old friends READING who are coming back down for their second visit following Brixhams trip up to Reading last April. Kick off is 12.30 and all support would be welcome.

18th Oct 2009 BRIXHAM 41 EXETER CHIEFS 27
The visit of a strong Exeter side was being met with a great deal of trepidation especially as Exeter were unbeaten so far this season and Brixham had 7 players unavailable with injury, leaving a bare 16. With player unavailability comes opportunity for others and that certainly proved to be the case.
An even start to the match only produced one penalty slotted over by Brixham captain Tom Akery. Then Exeter got into their stride and their fast running backs scored three unanswered tries to take a 17-3 lead. Brixham had to change the game plan and start to deny Exeter the ball through their forwards. This they did and came back into the match with tries from Elliott Bryant and Joe Smith, both converted by Akery. A great fight back meant that at half time the score stood at 17-17
Brixham continued where they left off in the second half and kept the ball much tighter with forwards Joel Armitage, Bryant and Jim Champion carrying the ball well supported by the rest of the forwards. It took a huge effort but constant forward surges and recycling of ruck ball enabled two more Brixham tries through Champion and another try from Joe Smith. Smith was one of the players asked to come in to the team and play in an unaccustomed position and he certainly was making a point to the coaches!
Exeter came back with a further try to put the match once again in the balance at 29-22 but Brixham then stretched the lead with a superb try where the forwards made progress down the pitch, the ball was passed along the line for winger Sam Hooper to finish brilliantly in the corner - 34-22. The best try of the match.
There was no time to rest as the game again see-sawed - Exeter scoring in the corner to make it 34-27 and set up a nervous last five minutes.
However most of the time was played out in the Exeter 22 and as they tried to run from their own line on "last play" Akery intercepted to score and convert his own try.
A really good advert for Youth rugby with some excellent rugby, and played in a really good spirit.
Tries J Smith (2nd Row) (2), Tom Akery (scrum half), Jim Champion (2nd Row), Elliott Bryant (no8), Sam Hooper (wing).
Cons Akery (4); Pen Akery

Thanks to Adam, here is the match report from their (Exeter's) web site - ha ha
The Chiefs Under 15’s were away this weekend at Brixham. The Fishermen got off to a good start putting Chiefs under enough pressure to force a penalty. Just inside the 22, the home side opted to kick for goal and went 3 – 0 up.
Slightly rocked by the score the Chiefs bounced back. The forwards secured quick ball releasing the backs who cut through the Brixham defence to score in the corner. This was followed by another Chiefs try but by half time Brixham had fought their way back in and the score was even at 17 points a piece.
Chiefs started the second half well and again set their backs lose and got on the score sheet first but Brixham didn’t lie down and kept in touch with the visitors. The home side edged in front, the margin being a single conversion, with just a couple of minutes to go. Exeter were just outside their 5 meter line and had possession but an interception from Brixham saw them extend their lead. The final score was Brixham 36, Chiefs 26. Chiefs tries came from Adam Harris (2), Jacob Jones (2) and Tom Male with one conversion from Ben Arnold.

11th Oct 2009 BRIXHAM 15 BARNSTAPLE 19

4th Oct 2009 BRIXHAM 62 PLYMOUTH ARGAUM 5

A good team performance from Brixham on Sunday saw them overwhelm Plymouth Argaum in the Devon Cup tie.
The writing was on the wall for the visitors was on the wall from the start. Three minutes into the game and Brixham had the lead after several phases of driving play by their forwards put Joel Armitage in for the opening try. Minutes later and the forwards combined again after a break by Mack Lewis and Elliot Bryant touched down.
Five further tries in the first half - all converted by Akery - saw Brixham 45-0 ahead at the break.
In the second period Brixham rang the changes with their substitutions but this did little to affect them and they continued to dominate proceedings. In attack they showed more pace and skill and in defence more commitment than their visitors. Much credit must be paid to Argaum who never gave up trying and scored a late consolation try.
Other Brixham try scorers were Jack Tiltman, Ben Ringrose, Mack Lewis and George Wardle. Lloyd Barwood slotted a second-half conversion.

27 Sept 2009 KINGSBRIDGE 29 BRIXHAM 40
As the only Brixham Youth side to play on Sunday it was incumbent on them to produce an exciting game. Thanks to Kingsbridge they did. A ding-dong battle, with play moving from end to end, in the bright September sun, was the result.
Kingsbridge took an early lead but Brixham struck back when captain and outside-half Tom Akery made a break from his own 22 to run almost the length of the pitch for the equalising try. Brixham scored two more tries to go clear but before the break Kingsbridge replied in kind and Brixham had a slim 19-17 lead when they changed ends.
In the second half the sides traded tries and Brixham led 33-29 with ten tense minutes remaining. The result could have gone either way but Brixham sealed their victory with a final converted try.
Brixham try scorers: Tom Akery, Joel Armitage, Elliot Bryant. Jim Champion, Sam Hooper and Jack Tiltman. Akery slotted 5 conversions.

MATCH REPORTS 2008/9 (Under 14s)

Wednesday 8th April 2009
BRIXHAM 5 CHESTERFIELD 17

Sunday 5th April 2009
READING 12 - BRIXHAM 10
This Sunday saw a return fixture against Brixham, who had hosted us earlier in the season when we were on Tour. They came up for a master class session at London Irish and to watch the Bristol game followed by coming to us on the Sunday morning.
When we played down there, it had been a really close game, ending with a 14 all draw, so I was expecting another close game. A combination of injuries, school trips etc meant we were down to 15 or 16 boys so we were always going to have to play really well and concentrate. They had around 20 players with them so had slightly more strength in depth. As I watched them warm up, and having tried to get our boys concentrating, I thought they might be better prepared, as they look very switched on a raring to go..
The weather was perfect, warm, no major breeze and the ground was firm to hard. It had all the makings of a fast and flowing game, with plenty of running. From my perspective in the middle of the park as ref, it certainly lived up to the expectation.
With both Sam and Craig deciding to forgo county training to play in the game, we were up to 16 boys, and when we finally came out for the start of the game, we did in fact begin to look like we were up for it.
They kicked off and the game started, at a fairly furious pace. Both teams wanted to use the width of the first team pitch, and were trying to produce good quick ball. In the first few minutes it looked as though it was going to be another very close game, with neither team really have the edge. Brixham had more of the territory (I think - its difficult to get the quality statistics they show at the internationals for our U14s games...) but our defence was really solid and we managed to keep them away from the our line.
We took a good drop goal to restart the game, but I think all our boys realised that they need to step up a little if we were going stay in the game. Our forwards were strong in defence and attack, and our backs were tackling well and looking lively when we did get the ball.
The first half ended Nil Nil, which was a result of great defence by both sides rather than lack of attacking options. As both coaching teams tried to inspire and raise their squads, I probably would have to agree with Brixham's coach who felt they just hand the upper hand. We needed a few running repairs on knee scab wounds (a result from the very hard ground under the shadow of the castle two weeks ago) and then we were ready to kick off.
We came at them very hard in the first few minutes, and slowly began to work up towards their line. Again there was some excellent play from the forwards, with Craig, Cameron and Ryan all making good ground. We then got very close to the line, when Sam pick the ball up from a ruck and drove for the line, but again great defence from Brixham held the maul up from going over. Then Tom Everett got the ball at the back of the maul and powered his way to the line, getting the ball down on the line for an excellent team (and individual) try. This is Tom's second try of the season, the last one being on tour - against Brixham! That time it was the last play of the game, and Patrick slotted the ball over for the conversion to draw the game. This time the kick was just to close too the touch line. The score was 5 nil to us.
Brixham rebounded well from the score and came back at us straight away. They moved us back towards our own twenty two before we managed to get the ball out into the backs, where Tom O'R got the ball as outside centre, and showed his true athleticness making a good 50 yards before being tackled really well. Two key things we have been trying to work on in training recently are, pass and support, combined with taking the ball at speed. There were several boys following Tom up in support, and Tom managed to flick the ball up to Sam Brown, who was going at close to full speed. The half tackle was not strong enough to slow him down, and Sam went over for a great try. With a little easier kick this time, Luke slotted the ball through the up rights and we had a 12 to nil lead.
Was this going to be our day? Were we going to run away with it? Well Brixham certainly had different ideas to us.They were very keen to get the ball back in to their backs and whether it was just their grit and determination, or the fact that Delon Armitage showed up to watch (there are family connections to the Brixham team) but they worked the ball well, getting the ball over on the club house side with 30 mtrs to go. Their fly half ran in at speed, diving for the line just as our last ditch tackle was attempted, and went over for a great score in the corner. 12 v 5 to us. A difficult kick, struck well, but slightly off target.
There were about 8 to 9 mins to go, and it was obvious that the game was not over yet. They kept the pressure on us, and we kept the defence going, until they managed to get the ball in a similar position to their first try. I think it was the same player who raced down the line, avoiding the Reading tackles to scamper over the try line, and make it towards the posts. So ironically, it was now Brixham's opportunity to kick to level the scores, however they just failed to get the ball over the cross bar.
There were about two minutes left, and the tension was very high. Both teams really wanted the victory, and it was very tightly fought. We kicked off and they managed to get the ball away and back into our half. They were making some good ground and we need to defend to our best, which we did. The ball finally went into touch from Reading, so Brixham had the throw-in for what was going to be the last play of the day. The tension was too much in the end, as unusually Brixham knocked on in the centres and the final whistle was blown.
In the end it was a really good and entertaining game of rugby, played by two teams intent on trying to run the ball. The defence from both teams was very good, as were the handling skills etc. We sneaked it in the end 12 vs 10, thanks again to our kicking boots.
All 16 of our boys played extremely well, with huge amounts of effort and commitment. A big thank you to them all. (Particularly George who walked 28 miles on the Saturday afternoon in a little over 8 hours I think). Mark had told the boys he would be awarding three awards at the end of the game, Numbty of the day, Tackler of the day and Man of the Match. Actually we didn't award the first, as there was no one who deserved it (for once!). Tackler of the day went to Luke, who like all the backs came up fast and tackled strongly, taking down many boys larger than himself. Man of the Match could have gone to any of the boys today, but in the final analysis it was given to Sam Brown, and well deserved too.
We hosted Brixham after the game, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. (We also won the mini boat race, not that anyone was counting). Hopefully the Brixham lads were quiet and sleepy on their journey home, although I some what doubt it.
Thanks to all my lot, you played very wel;
Robert

Match report from Reading RFC website

Congratulations to Sam Unwin, Sam Hooper, Tom Akery, Joel Armitage and Matt Harvey; all selected to play for South Devon on April 8th.

Sunday 29th March 2009 BRIXHAM 36 TOTNES 20
Sam Hooper celebrated his selection (and that of four team-mates) for the South Devon side by running in four tries against Totnes on Sunday.
Brixham opened strongly but five minutes of pressure was undone when Totnes secured the ball in their own half and ran through for a try. Undaunted, Brixham went back on the offensive and were back on level terms when Tom Akery touched down. His conversion kick was unsuccessful but two more attempts before half-time secured the extras for tries scored by Sam Hooper and Joel Armitage. Brixham had a 19-5 interval lead but the wind and the slope were now in Totnes' favour.
Totnes generally had the edge in the second period and closed the arrears with a try after five minutes. Any hopes they had of beating the Fishermen were dashed in the middle of the half. In the space of ten minutes Hooper ran in three tries, one converted by Akery, and Brixham were clear. Totnes made the scoreboard more respectable with two well-deserved tries in the closing minutes.

Sunday 22nd February 2009 BRIXHAM 7 SIDMOUTH 10

Sunday 25th January 2009 BRIXHAM 10 TORQUAY 46

Sunday 9th November 2008 BARNSTAPLE 10 BRIXHAM 7 - Devon Cup 1st Round

JOEL INSPIRED BY BROTHER DELON AND ENGLAND

Just before kick off the heavens opened and conditions for the match were cold, wet and very windy.
Barnstaple played with the wind in the first half and used their big backs line to kick down into the Brixham half on every occasion. The opening exchanges were pretty equal but the conditions meant that Brix were soaking up pressure and finding it difficult to get out of their own half. Sam Hooper made a fine defensive tackle bundling his opposite centre into touch just as he was about to touch down and again Brix cleared their lines.
Barnstaple pressure eventually lead to a close in try with their forwards driving over. Brixham then lost hooker Callum Hamill to a wrist injury, so prop Sam Unwin moved over to hook. All the time Barnstaple continued to use huge kicks to gain territory and Brixham full back Mac Lewis dealt with each and every one, sometimes launching counter attacks to good effect. Just before half time Barnstaple scored another close in try to lead 10-0 at the break.
Brixham knew they were in with a chance. Soon into the second half they lost Sam Unwin to concussion and Jack Tiltman to a leg injury. Unwin's injury meaning a further reorganisation to the front row. It was testament to all the guys playing in the front row that the scrum still stood firm. Brixham had much more possession and this began to tell. However the weather deteriorated and did not help. Following numerous concerted efforts to cross the line eventually a Brixham forward broke free to crash over - it was Joel Armitage fresh from Twickenham watching his brother Delon earn his first England cap!. Try converted by scrum half Tom Akery.
Now it was game on - but the rain only got worse. For all Bx efforts and some strong penalty claims it was not to be.
The lads effort was fantastic and an extremely tough game was played in really good spirit. Brixham Man of the Match was Mac Lewis who gave a faultless display at full back in awful conditions.
Although Bx were deflated, gutted and exhausted in the changing room their spirits were lifted when John Armitage brought in Delon's first England cap to show everyone.
Now they all know what they have to aspire to!!

Sunday 2nd November 2008 BRIXHAM 18 PLYMSTOCK ALBION OAKS 5
Cold, wet and windy! It wasn't the best conditions to play and for the first 15 minutes defences dominated. Also it was a much improved Plymstock team from that which Brixham defeated in the Cup and they had certainly recruited some good players. The first score came when Brixham pressure saw Plymstock give away a penalty under the points which Tom Akery converted. That gave Brixham a little more confidence and 5 mins later a forward drive resulted in a pile up over the Plymstock try line where second row Adam Allery emerged with the ball to claim the try. With the last move of the first half Plymstock hacked through in mid field and their centre won the chase to touch down. Half time 8.5
Brixham certainly started the second half brighter and the ball retention improved meaning both backs and forwards could play more open rugby. Although they had numerous scoring chances Plymstock defended excellently clearing their lines under pressure. When Scrum half Akery put in a high attacking kick the ball was gathered by Centre Sam Hooper who brushed aside several tacklers on a storming run to the corner flag. He still had plenty of support available if he needed which was testimony to the way Brixham were playing backing up at all times. In the dying minutes Brixham won a scrum near the Plym line for Elliott Bryant to crash over from No8 - and that’s the way it finished 18.5.
Special mention for outstanding performance went to Jim Champion in the second row and centre Sam Hooper.

Saturday 25th October 2008 BRIXHAM 14 READING 14
In very blustery conditions this was an extremely hard fought encounter. The conditions meant that a very tight opening period was interrupted by handling errors. Defences were on top for most of the first half. However with most of the half played Brix managed to string a good backs move together to send winger Craig Armstrong over. A difficult conversion was nailed by scrum half Tom Akery. Brixham led 7-0 at the break.
It became evident early on in the second half that Reading strengthened using many of their subs, especially in the forwards. However Bx mopped up the pressure and defended well. When Bx did have opportunities they were wasted by some bad options being taken. Reading scored the equalising try under the posts following a concerted forward drive.
Brix replied almost straight away. Following a breakdown on half way centre Sam Hooper picked up a loose ball, broke a couple of tackles and sprinted to score. Again Akery made a difficult conversion scraping the ball over in the angle between post and bar.
That is how it stayed despite constant Reading pressure, until the last move of the game. Reading kicked a penalty for a line out well inside the Bx 22. They caught and drove until a forward broke out. Despite being tackled short of the line he wriggled over and referee Len Harvey gave the score. Despite it being controversial there were no complaints from Bx. The kicker still had to hold his nerve to convert a kick which was by no means easy …. But did…and ended 14.14. A fair result.
Reading enjoyed their day and the two sets of players mixed really well in the club house following the match with both sides making presentations.

Sunday 5th October PLYMSTOCK 0 BRIXHAM 41 Preliminary round Devon Cup
Heavy overnight rain made it difficult conditions at a wet and windy Plymstock. Plymstock's big heavy pack also started well out scrummaging Brixham at the first scrum. Slowly Brixham got on top especially in the loose and pressure began to mount on Plym. A strong run by left wing Craig Armstrong led to a ruck where the ball was recycled quickly, taken on by Joel Armitage who timed his pass perfectly to put Liam Turvey over in the corner. It was the open side flankers first Brixham try and didn't he celebrate it! That try was unconverted.
Brixham had a lot of pressure, including a disallowed Ben Ringrose try, but Plymstock defended well. Soon after the Brixham backs spun it wide, right winger Ringrose off loaded to a looping centre Jack Tiltman who went over in the corner. Unconverted.
Third try - again it was forward pressure which allowed skipper Mat Harvey to crash over from close in for Tom Akery to convert, and there was still time to add a fourth first half try when prop Joel Armitage stormed over from 5 yards to give the Fishermen a half time lead of 22-0
Plymstock started the second half brightly as Brixham rang the changes and it took ten minutes for Brixham to score. Brixham had a mountain of pressure but amazingly Plymstock held out defending excellently and continually thwarting Brixhams passing moves. However the Brixham scrum half got on the end of a move and out sprinted the defence for a try which he converted.
As the Brixham forwards tired it was time for the backs to start playing and handling was now good despite the greasy ball. Another move resulted in fly half Mac Lewis going over for his first ever Brixham try; converted by Ben Luck. As time was running out there was still time for Armitage to sneak round the blind side for his second try.

Sunday 28th September 2008 BRIXHAM 24 KINGSBRIDGE 14
Brixham were nearly back to full strength but were still without Sam Unwin (thumb) and Harry Welch (broken arm) from the front row.
The game remained deadlocked in the first quarter with defences well on top. As both teams tried hard to break down the other the game became a little scrappy with some handling errors at crucial times. However Brixham continued to press and some good runs were made by winger Ben Ringrose whose handling stood out from all others. With ten minutes of the first half to go Sam Hooper broke the Kingsbridge line to score wide out. The conversion was missed by new kicker Ben Luck making his first full start for Brixham.
Kingsbridge started the second half very strongly and took the lead with a converted try from their hard running centre. However Brixhams change of tactics was paying dividends and their play for position, hard rucking and direct running meant fewer errors. Sam Hooper scored a try, this time converted by Ben Luck, and soon scored another - the best of the game. A flowing backs move ended in a solo run to the line by Jack Tiltman evading three defenders before he coolly off loaded to Sam Hooper for his hat trick. Again Luck converted.
As the game moved into its final stages Kingsbridge found their second wind and scored an excellent try under the posts by their winger who started a mazy run from the 22 wide out cutting inside several defenders. This was also converted.
However Brixham had the final word when a hack out of defence by scrum half Tom Akery lead to a defensive error by Kingsbridge and following the ensuing ruck - and a few passes out wide - Sam Hooper went over for his 4th try. Unconverted.
Man of the match had to go to Sam Hooper for his 4 tries but even he acknowledged that his tries needed the assistance of his team mates. Also getting high praise were second rowers Jim Champion and Adam Allery for their continued improvement and skipper Matt Harvey who lead the team very well. Congratulations also to Dan Alford who made his B debut.

Sunday 14th September 2008 Brixham 15 Ivybridge 17
Although Ivy are one of the better sides at our level Bx were confident of putting up a good show following the improvements made over the pre-season.
The match started with both sides showing huge commitment and scores remained locked for some time with defences on top. Although Ivy bigger all round physical presence meant they had a lot of the play they were kept being put on back foot by Bx tackling and commitment at the ruck.
Eventually Ivy infringed at a ruck at Tom Akery slotted a penalty 3.0
Then on stroke of half time and after a string of excellent running from the backs Sam Hooper burst thru to score.8.0 - Half time
Most of the crowd, inc Ivy, could not believe the score and the standard of play by both teams up to the break.
Ivy came out of the blocks at half time and quickly scored a try to make it 8.5. Bx then dug even deeper to hold out Ivy for 10 minutes before Bx scored again. Hooker Sam Unwin burst thru from the 22 , breaking tackles and went in under the posts for Akery to convert. 15.5
Ivy quickly reduced the deficit to 15.10 and the game entered the last 10 minutes. Injuries began to take their toll on the highly committed Bx team and their changes in personal with Elliott Bryant, Callum Hamill, Sam Unwin, Jordan Green, Liam Turvey all receiving knocks.
All supporters were gutted when Ivy scored a last minute try which still needed converting - which they did 15.17.
Brixham scrummaged magnificently all game winning balls against the head and pushing them off the ball on several occasions - something that does not often happen to Ivy!. The basis for this came from a brilliant effort from the front five Joel Armitage, Sam Unwin, Tom Mudge, Jim Champion and Adam Allery.
Coach Adam Mudge said" The boys all put in some much effort and commitment they should not be too disappointed. They have improved by working really hard and if they continue to play like this there is no doubt we will have a successful season."

Saturday 7th September 2008 Brixham 38 Barnstaple 5
Special match to play before 1st team v Devon Presidents and to open the new extension to Cluhouse.
It was a great honour to be asked by the Senior Committee to do this is the team did not disappoint. They played fantastically and all looked the part dressed in No 1's after the match.
It was the first time the two teams had met at this level and the first exchanges were hotly contested. Bx got slowly on top and the breakthrough was made by centre Sam Hooper after a strong individual run.
Once confidence was up and the forwards were providing good possession for the backs, gaps began to open up and Bx ran out 38.5 winners. Tries were all scored by the backs showing Bx's intentions for their style of rugby for the coming season. Sam Hooper 4 tries, centre Jack Tiltman and scrum half Tom Akery. Akery also slotted 4 conversions.