Services thrash Matson to move top

DEVONPORT Services are the new leaders in South West One after thrashing Matson 78-7 on the Rectory Field.

- By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE Rugby correspondent

Devonport Services man of many parts Richard Goldsby-West

(Conrad Sutcliffe)

Harrison Coonick on one wing scored four tries, and Tom Davies claimed a try hat-trick on the other, as Services ran riot.

Victory, their sixth in seven starts, took Services past Topsham into pole position ... but not by much. Services' points difference of (+119) gives them an edge over Topsham (+95).

Services set the tone for the match with a third-minute try from Coonick after moving the ball away from a line-out. Sam Brown converted.

By half time Services were 40-7 ahead and the game long over as a contest.

Kieran Leach, Services' team manager, said Matson turned up with a side severely depleted by the counter attraction of a stag weekend.

Leach added that whatever side Matson travelled with, it would be wrong to devalue Services' performance.

"Our backs looked as sharp as they have all season," said Leach. "All they had to do was wait for the forwards to slip them the ball and then get on with it.

"It was great to see Harrison Coonick score four tries. He has just returned from a long time out due to injury and is looks to his best.