Services close to promotion after seeing off their rivals

DEVONPORT EXTEND THEIR LEAD OVER TOPSHAM TO SIX POINTS WITH A STATEMENT WIN AT THE RECTORY

- By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Devonport Services celebrate two of their tries in their top of the table win over Topsham on Saturday.

(DEVONPORT SERVICES RFC)

DEVONPORT Services took a significant stride towards automatic promotion back to National Two West with a 39-29 win over Topsham.

The top-of-the-table clash between South West One leaders Services and second-placed Topsham had the pre-match hallmarks of a promotion decider.

Services now have a six-point lead over Topsham, which will take some losing with just 15 left to play for against Launceston (8th), Sidmouth (9th) and Marlborough (11th), who are already relegated after losing to Chew Valley last time out.

If Services win at Launceston this Saturday, it’s hard to see them not going straight back up. Topsham and Brixham look destined to meet in the first round of the new promotion playoffs.

Services were never behind against Topsham after Matt Gregory put them ahead with a seventh-minute try that Sam Brown converted. It got a little fraught in the second half when Topsham were only 27-24 behind.

Kieran Leach, who is approaching ten years as Services' team manager, said Topsham were formidable opposition who seized on opportunities when they came along. Only 'awesome defence' kept them out at times.

"It was a cracking game of rugby and a shame either side had to lose," added Leach. "We were 24-7 up just before half time, but were a bit loose either side of it and Topsham got right back in it.

"I thought it was all over when Dom Davies scored in the last 10 minutes, but they scored again after that!

"It was a relief when we scored another and there was no time left."

Gregory's first try was followed by scores for James McFarlane, Charlie Groves and Richard Goldsby-West, who kicked a conversion while Brown was in the sin-bin.

A Brown penalty was all that separated the sides in a running total of 27-24 after 65 minutes.