Teams 
Bideford 11-10 Tavistock
Try – Kai Pett
Pens – Amos Waters x 2
MOM – Fraser Priest
The Chiefs travelled to Tavistock facing significant disruption to the squad, with unavailability, festive commitments, and injuries giving the coaching staff a testing week as players continued to drop out right up to matchday. Missing from the lineup were skipper Nick Bone, Dean Folland, Dave Evans, Reece Pearn, James Scott, Mark Schofield, Ben Short, Sam Bola, and Sam Olde.
With so many regulars unavailable, it was a welcome boost to have Ned Pettifer and Sam Picillo return from university, while Colt Harvey Beal earned his first start after making previous appearances from the bench. The Chiefs were also grateful to Will Copp, who travelled and took a place on the bench despite not having played for several years, and to Harry Jones for changing his plans at short notice to help the side. Opportunity also knocked for Amos Waters, who made his first start in a Chiefs shirt.
The match itself was a tight and physical contest. Tavistock, having struggled for numbers in recent weeks, were able to field a strong squad for the first time in a while, and Bideford knew they would need to be resolute in defence. From the opening whistle, both sides defended the gain line fiercely, with neither team giving much away. Tavistock used their home advantage well, particularly the low sun, employing a number of well-judged kicks in the first half.
The Bideford pack worked tirelessly against a physical Tavistock side, with Fraser Priest and Ollie Hedden each making upwards of 20 tackles in the opening half. In midfield, Fred Fishleigh and Liam Balsdon once again delivered Herculean performances in the centres.
The breakthrough Bideford needed came from a well-worked scrum move. Returning after a two-week absence, Charlie Stevenson injected pace through the middle before quick ball wide created the space for Kai Pett to open the scoring. Tavistock responded with a penalty, taking the game into half-time with Bideford holding a narrow 5–3 lead.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams committing fully in defence and some huge tackles flying in. Bideford looked to freshen things up, bringing on Will Copp, Harry Jones, and Sam Picillo to add energy and physicality. The changes paid off, with all three slotting in seamlessly and maintaining the intensity.
Bideford capitalised on two penalties, both calmly converted by Amos Waters, extending the lead to 11–3. Tavistock took advantage of a rare lapse, as Bideford tried a little too hard to force opportunities with ambitious passes, wayward kicks, and unnecessary contact. The home side crossed in the final minute and converted, making for a tense finish, but the Chiefs held on for a hard-fought 11–10 victory.
It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but it was another valuable win on the road built on grit and determination. Next week sees the visit of Exeter Saracens, who were due to meet the Chiefs earlier in the season in the cup before withdrawing. With the exception of Dean Folland and Sam Bola, Bideford should have a near full-strength squad available for selection.
Quins and Colts to Follow
