Titles races heating up in SW rugby

And now rugby’s Tribute South West Regional One Division really is wide open!

Unless you’re a Chew Valley supporter, just the set of results that everyone was hoping for happened at the weekend, and now only four points cover the top-four sides – Chew Valley 37, Barnstaple 35, Devonport Services 35 and Launceston, who have a game in hand, 33.

Launceston lowered Chew Valley’s colours for only the second time this season when they beat the leaders 31-22 at Polson Bridge.

Barnstaple went to Gloucestershire and beat Matson 34-25 and Services won 25-17 at Ivybridge.

Okehampton were pipped 16-17 by a last-gasp St Austell penalty, and there were also wins for Exmouth, 43-18 at home to Weston-super-Mare, and Lydney over Brixham 32-29.

Okes fans must have thought they’d beaten St Austell when Luke Simmonds landed a late penalty (16-14) at The Showground, but Saints marksman Matt Shepherd was given one last chance in the 88th minute and took it.

Okehampton travel to Barnstaple this Saturday before everyone (except Brixham v Launceston Nov 25) goes into another weekend break.

Regional Two is just as tight, especially after defeats for both the leaders, Wadebridge Camels and Crediton.

Sidmouth underlined their growing promotion claims when they beat Crediton 17-14, while Truro upset Camels 15-12 in their Duchy derby.

The top there now reads: Wadebridge 35, Crediton 35, Sidmouth 33, Cullompton 32 and Topsham (they thumped Burnham-on-Sea 64-22) 31.

Sidmouth have a game in hand on the rest, which they’ll play at Chard on Nov 25.

The pick of this Saturday’s games looks like Cullompton v Sidmouth.

In Western West, Plymstock Albion Oaks and Kingsbridge are locked on 37pts, seven clear of St Ives, who travel to fourth-placed surprise packets Paignton this weekend.

Tiverton registered a welcome away win, 16-7 at Tavistock, while Wiveliscombe fans were finally able to celebrate a victory, 21-17 at home to Bideford.

There are new leaders in Counties Two Devon.

Devonport Services 2nds, who had a walkover against Exmouth 2nds, take over from Torquay Athletic after only their second defeat, 12-16 at Withycombe.

Withies trailed at half-time, but turned it around, while Barnstaple 2nds beat Honiton 40-18, and the table now reads – Services 39, Torquay 37, Barnstaple 32 and Withycombe 31.

The top-two meet at Torquay’s Recreation Ground this Saturday.

Other results: Cos Three NE – Crediton II 47 Sidmouth II 0, Tiverton II w/o Torrington, Exeter Athletic 3 Topsham II 63.

This Saturday’s league fixtures include: Reg One – Barnstaple v Okehampton (2pm), Exmouth v Ivybridge; Reg Two – Cullompton v Sidmouth, Crediton v Teignmouth; Chard v Topsham; Cos One WW – Bideford v Tavistock, Bude v Tiverton, Penryn v Wiveliscombe; Cos Two Devon – Honiton v South Molton, Ivybridge II v Exmouth II, North Tawton v Barnstaple II, Exeter Saracens v Withycombe; Cos Three NE – Okehampton II v Exeter Athletic, Sidmouth II v Cullompton II, Topsham II v New Cross, Torrington v Newton Abbot II, Teignmouth II v Crediton II; SW – Tavistock II v Torquay Athletic II.