Teams 
Final Score: Bideford 15 – 34 Topsham
Bideford Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season in a tough encounter against a clinical Topsham side, who showed exactly why they’re considered one of the league’s front-runners.
With both teams entering the match unbeaten after three games, something had to give — and despite a bright start, it was Bideford who came out on the wrong side of the result.
The Chiefs opened strongly, applying early pressure and gaining territory through a well-executed exit play that set Charlie Stevenson charging downfield. A subsequent penalty was kicked to the corner, and from the resulting lineout, a classic catch-and-drive maul saw Bideford cross the line for the first score of the day.
However, the early momentum didn’t last.
From that point on, Topsham took control. Bideford were second-best for much of the game, with uncharacteristically weak tackling and a series of costly handling errors. Offloads that weren’t on, poor decision-making, and missed opportunities gave Topsham the openings they needed — and they punished them with ruthless efficiency.
By half-time, the game was already slipping away, and despite a second-half try from Dean Folland and a well-taken finish by Mark Schofield, Bideford couldn’t close the gap.
This was a hard lesson for the team, and one they’ll no doubt take ownership of ,players and coaches alike. Topsham looked every bit a top-of-the-table side and deserved their win.
The Chiefs will regroup, learn, and come back stronger, reminded that in this league, you’re only as good as your last game.
Ladies
Bideford 8 Truro 0.
After a cup win and a league win under their new Mako belts, Bideford ladies entered thier second league fixture with confident heads held high but cautious of new league entrants Truro who had put some big scores on sides in recent weeks.
Bideford kicked off at home and the sides traded fierce exchanges early on with fly half Olivia ‘Facebook status no longer single’ Taylor trading kicks for territory with the Truro 10.
Midweek Plea’s for a solid defence appeared to have been heard with reliable as ever captain Hannah ‘ I want more ball’ Bright chopping like a lumberjack, and the ever present Scarlet, ‘I’m giving up, I’m not giving up’ Davies punching well above her weight.
Vice captain Gabbie ‘ oh look I’ve developed Tourette’s’ Archers calls of motivation could be heard county wide
Some fine structured play from all in the Bideford pack saw some good hard carries from Joy, Simona, Daisy and Ruthy ‘no mates’
Bideford found themselves held up over the try line, but ground out vital meters again and again.
With the set piece not firing like it did last week open play was the name of the day and some good ground was made through both the forwards and the backs seeing Biddy win a pen near clubhouse corner.
Utilising some new penalty moves adopted just this week saw a fine couple of phases finished by Daisy ‘ oi Pape Benjamin’ O’Donovan crash over in the corner for her first try in cherry and white.
Both teams then dogged it out mainly in the middle third with a growing penalty count from both teams seeing the refs arm going up and down like a fiddlers elbow….regularly, and in which direction was anyone’s guess!
There was loads of promising breaks from Olivia, Sarah’ Look whose back, Shadys back’ Sakield Taylor and Adi ‘ Sir , Yes sir’ Maisamoa but the next score seemed elusive seeing the Cherry and whites enter half time 5-0 up.
The second half seemed a carbon copy of the first with physical exchanges dogged out by both teams, Bideford again were held up on the line and spilled a try scoring chance after a fine break by Oliva almost put away what many consider to be His Majesty’s forces finest chef Adi, but alas a spilled ball saw another chance go begging.
With everyone’s nerves at breaking point the refs arm went up this time in favour of Bideford, Captain Bright indicated the posts like Babe Ruth ( not no mates Ruth) pointing out a home run… and up stepped Adi slotting it like a sniper!!!
As the refs whilst blew everyone let out a sigh of relief and we all went down the Winchester to wait for it to blow over.
Bideford Under 15
Bideford U15s recorded their first win of the season at Ilfracombe. Bideford played up the slope in the first half and despite playing some of their best rugby of the season finished the half 7-7. An unfortunate offside penalty at the start of the second half gave Ilfracombe great field position and a subsequent neat blindside break saw them score in the corner. Bideford regrouped impressively and dominated for the remainder of the match, scoring three converted tries without reply ending the game 12-26 victors. The coaches were really pleased with the boys work rate and how they stuck to their structure. With two tries a piece, Bideford try scorers were fullback Alfie Gilbert and left wing Henry Lawrence. The coaches man of the match went to tight head prop Hayden Keets whist the supporters man of the match went to right wing Tejay Ashmore.
Bideford Under 11
Bideford u11’s took part in the Kingsley festival, fielding 2 squads with a mix of Honiton players and one from Torrington. The level of rugby was very impressive and well attended with 15 other teams from all over Devon. Bideford squad 2 finished 2nd overall, losing their last game to a very well drilled and bigger Honiton team. Squad one played some impressive rugby, with a notable victory over Barnstaple, finally finishing 12th out of the 15 teams.
Really well played all.
