Services leapfrog Topsham after win

DEVONPORT Services moved on from their 10-9 defeat by Brixham with a 31-7 win at Chew Valley to regain top spot in South West One.

- By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Topsham moved past Services into pole position last time out courtesy of their win over Royal Wootton Bassett.

Services' win in north Somerset restored the previous status quo, helped by Topsham losing 17-10 at St Austell.

There isn’t much margin for error though as Services (62pts) are only a point ahead of Topsham (61pts) with Brixham nine points further behind, but with a game in hand.

Services led from the first few minutes on against Chew and by halftime were 17-0 up and on course for victory.

Richard Goldsby-West, who co-captains Services' 1st XV, said numerous improvements made all the difference.

“We were so much better than we were against Brixham,” said Goldsby-West.

“Our line-outs functioned far better - Rob Welsh came up from the 2ndXV and threw in well - and we were far more physical in our approach.

“We made good line breaks and moved the ball well.”

Elliott Pocknell, a 17-year-old colt debuting in the centre, opened the scoring for Services with a try in the second minute and added another in the last few minutes.

“Elliott looked good at 12,’ said Goldsby-West. He put his tackles in and took his tries well”

Pocknell’s maiden 1st XV try was followed by scores from Charlie Groves, goal kicker Sam Brown, Tom Davis and Pocknell’s second.

THE Western Counties West game between Saltash and Kingsbridge was called-off due to a waterlogged pitch. Saturday, January 31 has been inked in as the replay date.

TAVISTOCK’S trials and tribulations and the wrong end of the Devon One table continued with a 29-10 defeat at muddy Withycombe.

Defeat leaves Tavistock third from bottom with four points to find to get out of the drop zone.

Halftime arrived with Tavistock 17-5 behind and temporarily down to 14 men with Jai Popplewell in the sin bin. Joe Blyth, Joe Oates and Jack Fear were the home side’s try scorers. Dan May kicked a conversion.