A lovely afternoon, almost still air and sunny.
The afternoon started with a minute's silence in memory of Paul Harris, former Devon Crediton and Devon President, who passed away recently.
We face Brixham on The Rectory.
After the horrible game away, which we won’t talk about, we were hopeful of a win. With them in third place with a game in hand, we could not expect a runaway win.
The conditions suited a fast game, but unfortunately, we didn’t get one.
All the way through it was a very even game where I think we fell into the trap of playing their style of game.
They kicked off to us; we were playing towards the school. For a few minutes, they held us in our half, but we slowly pushed them back into their half. We had one run at them, but knocked on.
We then won a penalty and went for a five-yard lineout, threw long, but lost the ball.

Brixham picked up a yellow card around here.
On eleven minutes, I thought we had crossed to score, school end stand side, but we must just have had a foot in touch, for they had a lineout and slowly drove out.
On seventeen minutes we had a lineout, despite them not going well we still threw long and lost it, they took the loose ball and played down to near our line, they had two lineouts, won one and lost one, they had a few runs at our line but our defence was good and they never got closer than about six feet before being penalised.
We kicked out for a lineout and once again threw long only to lose it, fortunately, they knocked on in the take, so we were saved.
Then we slowly got to their twenty-two before we were stopped.
On twenty-four minutes, Brixham won a penalty, absolutely midfield and about two feet into their own half. He kicked it beautifully, and it looked like it would break the stalemate; it had the height and distance, but went about six feet to the side of the seaward post. Nil-nil it remained.
Right on half time, we won a penalty and went for the short lineout, an excellent kick by Richard Goldsby-West hit the mark on the stand side, unfortunately, we threw long again, not straight, and so lost the ball and they had a scrum.
The scrum half tried to run it out, made about ten feet, was stopped, and we stole the ball off them. The right in front of the posts and midfield, we won a penalty.
This time we chose to take the offered points, which Matt Neyle did, and so we were the ones to break the deadlock and end the half 3~0.
Our lineouts were not going well; they were on top in the scrums, sometimes we held them, but more often we were pushed back, sometimes badly.
We never seemed to get seriously running as we would normally do; we played their game, and they were defending well.
The only thing that saved us and held them back was their penalty count; it was horrible. They also collected two yellow cards to add to their woes.

The second half started with us kicking to them and playing towards the turnstiles.
They diddled around with the ball but then gave us a penalty midfield, common sense prevailed, and Matt Neyle took the penalty option and kicked his second. 6~0.
It was still a very tight game where it was the penalty kicks that allowed us to get ahead, for there seemed to be no prospect of either side scoring a try. Had we known earlier it was going this way, we could have had another penalty to make our lead slightly more comfortable.
Nine minutes in and we kicked for a short lineout, this time we took it and ran at them to win a penalty, this was kicked by Matt Neyle to give us 9~0 lead.
On fourteen minute Brixham won a penalty in our twenty-two and clearly came to the same conclusions, penalties can move the scoreboard on where tries were not.
They kicked it, and the score stood at 9~3. This seemed to spur Brixham on.
At some point, I missed that they collected a second yellow card.
On nineteen minutes, Brixham won a scrum just outside our five-yard line; it looked like a dangerous moment for us. Unfortunately for them, their penalty count ticked up one more number, and we were able to kick clear.
Then they got another penalty on twenty-five minutes, and their forwards drove in a threatening manner at our line; our pack was up to it, and before they could get there, we drove them back the way they came and won a penalty.
Then, after thirty-four minutes, they won a scrum in our twenty-two slightly to one side of the posts.
We pushed them a little and the scrum twisted, then their No11 Kia Kidd got the ball and with about twenty feet to go made for the posts, Charlie Groves did a despairing dive but could not quite reach him, Kyle Felton got hold of his ankle but his speed broke him free and he dived for the line to score, half his team mates jumped on him over the dead ball line in the excitement of the score and to put them with the possibility of taking the lead. The midfield conversion was easy, and they had a 9~10 lead.
With about ten minutes to go, we really took the game to them. Getting into their twenty-two, we won a penalty; unfortunately, Matt Neyle’s kick went wide. We came back at them again and with three minutes to go won another penalty in the same position but on the other side of the posts, sadly, this too missed.
I felt for Matt because he would have kicked these in his sleep every day of the week.
From the restart, Brixham ran a little with the ball, then the shouts of “kick it out” rang out. The ball holder looked quickly at the referee, who may have given him the nod because he kicked it onto the clubhouse roof. Understandably, there was great joy in the Brixham team.
It was a close game and an even game.
We did defend well, and the forwards mauled well.
Both sides seem to neutralise each other.
I think the conclusion afterwards suggested we had lost it rather than them winning it.
Unfortunately, Topsham won, so we dropped to second place.
The Nigel. Chivell Memorial Man of the Match Award sponsored by Jack West of TACS accountancy went to Dan Lilley.

The Firsts.

1. Tyler Busfield. P.I.M. Financial Services.
2. Liam Jarvis. Steel Brew.
3. James McFarlane. Armada Social Work Services
4. Kyle Felton. Plym Pat Testing
5. Mike Rickard. Pon Nic properties.
6. James Hocking. Redmoor snacks.
7. Bertie Fordham. Accurocare, lifestyle choices.
8. Matt Gregory (c). HSK Building Services.
9. Richard Goldsby-West. (c). Smashland Burgers.
10. Dan Lilley. We remember submariners.
11. Matt Neyle. Cherry plumbing and heating.
12. Shaun Crawford. (vc).Plym Pat testing
13. Tom Davies. Pantheon Gym
14. Toby Knowles. AMH Building and renovations
15. Billy Orchard. Parrot plumbing and heating
16. Charlie Groves. Journeaux accountancy
17. Josh Martin. JML Bricklaying
18. Fin White

The Management.
Ben Russell.
Aiden Taylor

In another part of the county, Exeter, the seconds took on Exeter Saracens; they are always, but always, a difficult side to beat on their own ground.
Sarries got off to a 3~0 lead on eleven minutes, and an 8~0 lead on eighteen minutes, only for Luke Stannard to score and Leighton Star convert. 8~7.
Saracens pulled away to 15~7. Then, on thirty-four minutes, Rob Walsh scored and Leighton Stark converted. 15~14.
From the restart, Toby Moss ran in a try that Leighton Stark converted. 15~21.
Then right on half time Freddie Dover scored with Leighton Stark converting to get to the whistle 15~28 ahead. We seem to have got hold of the game.

The second half started well with Ethan Hilland scoring and Leighton Stark converting. 15~35.
Elliott Pocknell of the Colts was next to score. Then Charlie Over touched down with Leighton Stark covering. 15~47.
With the game closing in on the end, the ever dependable Sam Fincham scored with Leighton Stark converting,15~54.
Ron Duffield and Matt Scott both picked up a yellow card at the same time, which allowed Saracens to score twelve points to make it 27~54. With it, a try bonus for them.
We were not done for, Colt captain Nathan Todd had the last word with a try to make the final score 27~59.
A very good win that keeps us solidly on top of the table.

The Second team.

1. Ethan Hilland. Sustainability and Engineering consultants.
2. Rob Walsh. NESC, Nuclear Engineering and Safety Consultants
3. Sam Winfield.
4. Aaron Duffield. Start-up marketing.
5. Matt Scott.
6. Nathan Todd.(We Remember Submariners)
7. Henry Gascoyne.
8. Freddie Dover. Invisible to Invincible.
9. Billy Sutton. Plym Pat Testing.
10. Aiden Taylor. Market Media.
11. Luke Stannard. Nordic installations Ltd
12. Leighton Stark. ASAP renovation SW.
13. Charlie Over. Roast Coffee.
14. Sam Fincham. Severn Access and Rescue Ltd
15. Toby Moss. Identity fashions.
16. Alex Gibson
17. Elliott Lupson. (C). Jerry Josee and Ocean City sounds.
18. Elliott Pocknell

The Management.
Dickie Duffield. Esq.
Steve Hilland.

Meanwhile, in another part of Plymouth,h the 3s were playing OPM Jesters. This game was one-sided as it often is, but to their credit, they keep agreeing to play us and stick to it.
The score ended on 0~90.
Our scorers were in order.
Harry Picket converted by Oli Mytton.
Brad Lumley converted by Oli Mytton.
Brad Lumley converted by Oli Mytton.
Harry Picket again converted by Olli Mytton.
Joseph Hicks converted by Oli Mytton.
Harry Picket scored his hat trick, converted by Oli Mytton.
Khane Young converted by Oli Mytton.
James Furness converted by Oli Mytton.
Stu Bartlett converted by Oli Mytton.
James Furness again converted by Oli Mytton.
0~68.
H/T.
Matt Witcher.
Then Matt Witcher again.
Oli Knapman converted by Rohan Johnson.
And ending with a try from Finn Hocking.
0~90.
The Threes.
Not in position order.
1. Fin Hosking
2. Oli Knapman
3. Dan Chugg.
4. James Furness
5. Stu Bartlett.
6. Kaff Simakoloyi
7. Rohan Johnson.
8.Harry Picket.
9. Joseph Hicks.
10.Olly Mytton.
11. Khane Young
12. Brandon Knight.
13. Brad Lumley
14. Ewan Piercy. Media Bulldog.
15. Tony Polo.
16. Charlie Newcombe.
17. Jason Money. Green Spinnaker Ltd.
18. Mike Kelly.
19. Matt Witcher. MAG Roofing Ltd.
TR. Skull Karikaritu.

The Management.
Tony Polo,