Teams 
Reports from the weekend’s games across the club.
Chiefs
Awaiting match report
Quins
Quins 15 – 17 Cullompton
Men of the match were the four colts
Quins travelled to Cullompton with a young team starting thanks to four colts stepping up for their first senior games due to unavailability from regular players. George Herridge, James Maycock, Charlie Ackland and Charlie Morris didn’t disappoint and showed great commitment at all aspects of play.
Quins started well with Ackland running in a superb try. He then kicked a penalty with Herridge scoring and Ackland converting before the break giving a 15-0 advantage going into the second half. The second half was a different game with many decisions going against Quins allowing Cullompton to feel their feet and finishing off with a final minute score to leave Quins very disappointed. They now need to take the plus points from the game before a home game this week. Manager Ben Braddick and coach Andy Loosemore gave the man of the match award to the four colts for a great performance.
U16 Girls
Bideford U16 Girls vs Ivybridge
Bideford U16 girls showed great determination and plenty of fighting spirit against Ivybridge in a competitive match, despite being unable to turn their early pressure into points.
Bideford started strongly, spending the opening 15 minutes putting Ivybridge under pressure but struggling to find a way over the try line. Ivybridge’s quick winger eventually broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, with a second try following shortly afterwards. Bideford continued to battle hard, but Ivybridge added two further tries before the break to take a 24–0 lead into half-time.
Bideford came out strongly in the second half and once again put Ivybridge on the back foot, camping in their half and looking determined to get on the scoreboard. Their efforts paid off when Flower Taofinuu crossed the line to score Bideford’s first try, which Bella Sussex confidently converted.
Both teams continued to play some excellent rugby, with Bideford working hard in defence and showing good teamwork. However, Ivybridge managed to break away in the 54th minute to score out wide, quickly adding another try. Flower Taofinuu crossed for her second try in the 68th minute, but Ivybridge had the final say, scoring on the last play of the game.
Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for Bideford. The forwards worked well together, and it was great to see Ester Pert make her first appearance of the season, coping confidently in the scrums.
Coaches’ Player of the Day went to Kyra McDonald for her countless dominant tackles, while Supporters’ Player of the Day was awarded to Kitty Sherwin for her excellent running and tackling at full-back.
A good effort from both teams, with Bideford showing plenty of heart and determination throughout.
Under 16s
WHAT A FINISH! WHAT A WIN!
BIDEFORD U16s 12–10 CREDITON
Bideford U16s snatch victory against Crediton in the Fisherman’s Cup with the winning score on the FINAL PLAY OF THE GAME!
The determination, the heart, the teamwork — the boys never gave up and got their reward right at the death!
An incredible finish and a massive result for the lads. Huge effort from every single player!
Man of the match – Charlie Beamon great work rate with excellent work around the park and good throwing in at the line-out
Players man of the match – Henry Lawrence playing in the centre with no step going backwards making sure Bideford got over the game line every carry he made
Tries –
Alfie Gilbert
Henry Lawrence
Conversion –
Ethan Lawson
We carry on the competition next week away to Exmouth
Under 11s
Bideford U11s v Barnstaple
Bideford U11s played their first home game of the season, hosting Barnstaple. The game started slightly late as nobody could find the match ball that was placed on half way before the game, due to the shin high grass on Victoria Park pitch.
Once we got underway, Bideford looked to physically dominate and great work at the ruck and strong defence led to plenty of turnover ball. The team have been working hard on attacking shape, getting deep and moving the ball into space. When we did get the ball wide well, our speedsters scored a number of tries. Barnstaple showed great handling skills to get the ball moving but ferocious and dogged defence from Bideford continued to keep them out for long periods.
As Bideford rotated through the quarters, the same intensity was brought onto the field and Bideford ran out comfortable winners in each quarter. Barnstaple continued to work hard and never gave up which made the game really competitive to the end. In the final quarter, two interceptions from Barnstaple seemed certain they would finish with the last try, but unbelievable hunting back in defence led to try saving tackles, turn over ball and ended in Bideford going the length to score. It was brilliant rugby that nobody wanted to end and a great game of rugby played in superb spirit.
Under 10s
U10s had a 3 way fixture at North Tawton with them and Okehampton. We took two teams, and both teams played a match against each side.
Bideford ran out comfortable winners in each game, with an opposition coach complaining about our physicality, which as a coach was nice to hear.
3 players of the day went to Finley Vogel for some fine defensive work, Josh Nesbit who was impressive on debut and the sensational Joshua Welton who could arguably get it every week.
Under 8s
Bradfords Community Cup, Woodbury Park
Under 8s took 2 x squads of 7 down to Woodbury Park in Exeter to take part in the Bradfords Community Cup.
Car park chaos resulted in the festival being delayed by 30 mins! And all scheduled timings went out the window! But both teams played 5 matches in perfect conditions (other than slightly compact pitches).
Bideford Sharks played 5 well contested matches
Bideford Rhinos players assured me that they won all 5 games (not that we keep score or are competitive in any way)
