Services go top after big win at St Austell

THINGS GET TIGHT AT THE TOP AS SERVICES SURGE PAST TOP TWO

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

ST AUSTELL 5 DEVONPORT SERVICES 60

DEVONPORT Services have taken over at the top of South West One, but only by a whisker, after trouncing St Austell 60-5 at Tregorrick Park.

Going in to the final round of fixtures before the Christmas break, Services were third in the table behind leaders Chew Valley and second-placed Barnstaple.

Barnstaple's slender 20-19 win over Chew Valley at Pottington Road - where they dropped a bonus point - allowed Services to shoot past both of the teams in front of them.

But there is next to nothing in it at the top of the shop as Services (50pts) are only ahead of Barnstaple on points difference with Chew Valley (48pts) just two further points behind.

All that could change in the first round of matches after Christmas when Services host Barnstaple and fourth-in-the-table Brixham visit Chew Valley.

The first half at St Austell was relatively subdued as Services were limited to a 15-0 lead.

Matt Nyle's fifth minute try was followed by a try from Tom Davies plus the conversion and a penalty from Nyle.

The second half turned out to be the Harrison Coonik show as he cruised over for three tries to complete a hat-trick.

Rikki Bentham opened the second-half scoring and was followed in order by Coonick, Freddie Davies, Tom Davies, Adien Taylor for his obligatory try and Coonick with two in a row at the end.

Nyle converted five out of seven from the tee.

DS PILGRIMS 48 OPMs 17 DEVONPORT

Services Pilgrims defeated OPM 48-17 on the all-weather surface at Keyham to move into pole position in Devon One.