Teams 
What A Game
43-38
Trys: Ethan Paddon, Dec Smale, Sam Olde, Reece Pearn, Mitch Harris, Ruben Stacey
Conversions: Reece Pearn (5)
Penalty: Reece Pearn
Bideford Chiefs welcomed Devonport Services for a top-of-the-table clash, and the game didn’t disappoint the large crowd, delivering end-to-end rugby and a last-play winning try.
For the first time in a while, the sun was shining for what was anticipated to be a great return fixture, following the draw between the two sides earlier in the season. Devonport Services came into the match off the back of a huge win against OPMs (101–0), while Bideford were looking to put things right after their loss to South Molton.
The Chiefs were in high spirits, with a strong session on Wednesday setting the tone in the changing room. When it was time to take the field, they looked ready and mentally switched on. The opening 10–15 minutes were about both sides feeling each other out, with Bideford looking to replicate the offloading game that had worked well in the previous encounter. It was quick thinking from Ethan Paddon, taking a quick tap penalty, that saw him dive over for the opening try.
Soon after, Bideford earned a dominant scrum five metres out, and it was the impressive Dec Smale who picked from number eight and powered over for their second try.
Devonport Services responded by showing why their backline is one of the most dangerous in the league, scoring two open-play tries and adding a conversion to level things up. Bideford’s backs then found their rhythm again, with a lovely break from Fred Fishleigh and a strong hand-off creating space. Jack Balsdon ran a great support line and produced a superb offload in a double tackle to Sam Olde, who cruised over the line. That score gave Bideford a 24–12 lead at half-time.
DPS came out firing after the break, scoring early in the second half and converting before powering through the middle for another try to take the lead. Bideford needed something special, and it was prolific scorer Mitch Harris who provided it. A long clearance kick allowed Mitch Harris to chase down the DPS full-back, charge down the attempted clearance, and gather the ball for a clear run under the posts. Reece Pearn added the conversion.
DPS refused to back down and produced more excellent rugby to edge back in front with a converted try (32–33). But the drama didn’t end there. Reece Pearn chipped cleverly over a tiring defence, regathered, and scored under the posts before converting his own try.
Bideford then gained territory and were awarded a penalty to the left of the posts. As Pearn took the shot, a DPS winger charged it down, and the kick went wide. However, he was entitled to retake the kick, which he duly converted. Still, DPS responded again with another excellent backs move and conversion, swinging the lead once more to 38–36.
It was now last-chance saloon for Bideford. Playing with freedom, forwards appeared out wide and backs attacked through the middle. Mitch Harris made a strong run before being taken high into touch. While DPS celebrated what they thought was the winning moment, the referee awarded a penalty.
With one final opportunity, Pearn kicked to the corner. From there, the pack took control. A catch-and-drive followed; DPS initially held it up but then collapsed the maul and prevented the ball from emerging, giving away another penalty. Playing under advantage, Bideford spread the ball wide, and Ruben Stacey crossed on the opposite wing for the decisive try. Reece Pearn calmly added the final conversion to seal the game.
In truth, it was a fantastic match to watch, showcasing some excellent rugby from both sides.
Quins made the long journey to Exmouth on the bus and unfortunately came off second best to 17-31 a strengthened Exmouth Team . Focus turns to south Molton in the league where they need a win for promotion.
Ladies
Ladies match report..
A warm dry day saw Bideford ladies welcome Devonport to King George fifth playing field.
It wasnt for 5 points given away in a walkover and an additional 5 docked points for missing that fixture Bideford would be a close second behind Devonport In the league and knowing they would meet a physical side Bideford readied for the off.
Both teams came out the blocks firing and the early exchanges saw strong carries and strong tackles from both sides.
Bideford got the early share of territory and this saw on 14 minutes Poppy charge over in the centres for her first score in Bideford colours. 5-0.
Not long after it looked as though fullback Mia would join her on the score sheet with an elusive run beating numerous players to emerge up the left wing with just the covering winger to beat….there was a club wide inhale of breath as Mia was felled but only by what can be described as a ‘clothes line’ to the head, penalty to Bideford…but no other sanction despite it being a clear line break and no other defenders to beat.
We would have to make our own luck today it seemed!!
Devonport struck back through a midfield dog leg in the Bideford D with a converted try bring the score to 5-7.
Play went back and forth in an increasingly physical game until well past the 40th minute in the first half when Bideford unleashed a specialist penalty move which on the second phase saw Joy crash over under the posts. The conversion by Olivia took the half time score to 12-7.
The second half saw Bideford camped out deep in the Devonport half creating chance after chance we just weren’t able to Convert to points. Physicality a plenty was the name of the day with the teams exchanging shots time after time in what became a spicy encounter.
The score drought was lifted in the 76th minute , this time with no intervening head contact for Mia as she dotted down in the left corner, finishing some fine handling by Bideford bringing the score to 17-7 to Bideford.
Devonport valiantly threw everything they had at Bideford in the closing minutes but they couldn’t breach the Bideford scramble defence and finally a penalty saw the ball kicked from the field with Bideford defeating top of the table Devonport with a fine home win underpinned by determination and effort.
Sadly no Devonport players were able to join us in the bar for drinks and food after wards but we from Bideford thank you for the game today and wish you the best of luck in your next fixture.
Awards went to player of the day Scarlet for her outstanding distribution, work rate in defence and attack and all with a mystery illness…and dick of the day Blue, for deliberating throwing the ball off the park to try and end the game..oh, penalty to Devonport for that one Blue!!!
Special mentions went to Mia, Joy and Tess for their work rate today and for SJ the director of women’s rugby rolling back the years, donning her kit and putting in a shift in the back row as a replacement.
Tess leaves us today for London and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Overall a great team effort and a deserved win for the cherry and white ladies!
Well done.
Under 12’s
Today saw a selected U12 squad make their way down the A39 through what can only be described as “proper horror-film fog,” before emerging, miraculously, into bright sunshine at Tiverton RFC. A ground that’s always a proper test for us… and judging by the fact they rolled out both the sunshine and their strongest side gracing us on the main pitch, the feeling is clearly mutual.
Warm-up began, but if we’re honest, a few heads were still somewhere back up the A39. Shirts on, coin tossed, game on… and, as tradition dictates, we started like we’d only just arrived. We found ourselves pinned in our own half, defending wave after wave. But to the boys’ credit, as the tackles went in, so did the belief.
Then, enter Ronnie. A trademark, barnstorming run that at one point looked like it might require a search party to stop. We surged into their half, the ball went slickly through hands, and Seth finished it off out wide. Lovely stuff. Momentum officially wrestled back. Sadly, despite staying on top for the rest of the quarter, the try line remained just out of reach.
Second quarter and the subs came on, bringing fresh legs… and a brief moment of “who’s marking who again?” Tiverton took advantage and grabbed a couple early tries. Fair play. But we regrouped, pushed forward, and Jake spotted a gap quicker than you can say “cheeky snipe,” darting over for a well-taken try. We had more chances too, Charlie F even produced a delightful kick over the defence into acres of space, but unfortunately no one quite managed to collect it (it’s still rolling somewhere, we think). Tiverton nicked another before half time to edge ahead, but it was shaping up to be a proper contest.
Third quarter… well. Let’s call it a “learning experience.” Tiverton turned up the intensity at the breakdown, rucked like their lives depended on it, and ran in a few tries to put some daylight between the sides. One of those quarters you pop in the “we’ll talk about that on Thursday” folder.
Final quarter and it was all about pride, and to be fair, the boys responded. We lifted the tempo, played some really nice rugby, and came close to adding to the scoreline. At one point we thought we’d scored… but unfortunately one of Charlie’s feet had other ideas (and the Tiverton coach had very sharp eyesight). Tiverton managed one more late try, bringing the game to a close at “several to two” (we’ll leave the exact maths to someone else).
A tough day at the office, with a few bumps and bruises to show for it.
Player of the Day: A few strong contenders. Faf’s work at 9 is really coming on, quick ball and good decision-making. Seth put in another solid performance and got himself a well-earned try. Charlie F controlled things nicely at 10 and is reading the play well. But today’s award goes to Ronnie powerful running, solid tackling, and kept his head brilliantly in what was a tough, niggly game. Well done.
On to Crediton next week…
Under 11s
U11’s played a touring North Bristol side today at HQ. Unfortunately due to playing the previous day North Bristol only came with 6 fit players, so we made up the numbers to ensure everyone could have a good game. Well done to our guys for volunteering for this.
The first quarter was played at a great pace with a lot of free flowing rugby and a great defensive effort from Bideford leading to a 9-0 shut out.
Following a bit of a rejig of personnel, the 2nd quarter swung the other way with North Bristol coming out on top 4-0.
Following another rejig, the final 2 quarters was a much tighter and closer game, with both sides taking advantage of the dry weather to throw the ball around, and we were treated to some brilliant offloading and counter attacking rugby. The final score for this half was 7-7 which was fair reflection of the game.
It was really great to see the players taking the skills they learned in practice with Tom Skedling this week and applying them to the game – in particular at the breakdown where there was marked improvement and aggression.
Under 10s
U10’s attended Winscombe festival up in Somerset today.
6 games played and 6 games won, following results recorded:
7-2 v minehead
5-0 v wells
7-1 v MSN
7-0v Yeovil
12-1 nailsea & Blackwell
8-0 V Winscombe
So proud of the boys that travelled, results aside, discipline and behaviour was superb throughout the day. They represented the club brilliantly. ❤️🤍
Bideford u9s attended the Taunton festival, which I’ve got to say was a brilliant event. One of the mums recorded the scores as below.
– 6-4 bide win
– 9-2 bide win
– 6-2 bide win
– 5-2 bide win
– 4-2 bide win
All the players were brilliant but player of the day went to Ezra Ciantar for some brilliant tackling
U7s hosted South Molton today. Bideford had 15 players vs South molton’s 14 players. 🏉
South Molton had a mixed U7s/U8s team, so we decided to play U8s rules today which meant:
– bigger pitches
– more players (6 per team)
– introduction of knock-ons
– introduction of 7-tag turnover
Considering many of their opposition were 1 school age older, the Bideford players were fantastic, and all games were mostly evenly contested. 💪
Thanks to South Molton for making the trip, they were a lovely bunch with some promising players. 🙌
🍒 🤍
