Brixham title dreams hanging by a thread

Brixham RFC have one more weekend of hoping Barnstaple slip up in the tantalising race for the Regional 1 Tribute SW League title.

While Barnstaple swept aside Launceston in their penultimate challenge of the league season, the Fishermen were given an almighty scare before securing an epic 54-53 victory at Royal Wootton Bassett.

An incredible game opened with a converted try from Connor Doneathy before RWB quickly levelled. Doneathy restored the Brixham lead and Andre Simonetti extended the advantage to 19-7.

Back game RWB with a score, quickly cancelled out by the prolific Matt Crosscombe, bonus try secured. Unfortunately, RWB refused to roll over and reduced the arrears to 24-26 at the half-time break.

The hosts briefly grabbed the lead, only for a penalty try to get the Fishermen back in the ascendancy, but yellow cards were disrupting the Brixham flow. From nowhere, the hosts streaked into a 43-33 lead.

Title hopes were slowly disappearing before Jason Capaldi grabbed a momentum-shifting score, and Jamie Hext gave Brixham a slender one-point advantage heading into the closing minutes.

There was, almost inevitably, another twist in this rugby saga, as RWB again dotted down for a six-point lead but a converted try from Crosscombe just sealed the win for Brixham, who now must wait until the final day drama on April 5.

The title belongs to Barnstaple if they beat St Austell at home but, if they do stumble at the final hurdle, victory for the Fishermen at home to Launceston will send the crown to South Devon.

There is also just one game to go in the Counties 3 Devon SW Division and, excruciatingly, Brixham Crusaders also trail leaders Ivybridge 2nds by one point ahead of the final day. The Crusaders racked up 111 points in a painfully one-sided win over Totnes and will need another win at Paignton 2nds, along with a slip up from Ivybridge, on April 5.

Paignton are one game from a possible promotion out of the Western West SW Division and they finished their home campaign with an enthralling 33-31 win over Plymstock Oaks, with tries scored by Dewald Stoop (2), Jack Linley-Shaw, Alex Pozniak and Martin Birdy.

Torquay Athletic wrapped up their league title a while ago but still had enough motivation to deliver a 53-7 victory at Tamar Saracens, Ryan Hanauer notching an impressive four tries for the Tics.