Defeated Services lose their grip on top spot

BRIXHAM JOIN THE TITLE RACE AFTER WIN IN SOUTH WEST ONE

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVONPORT Services were knocked-off the top of South West One by a 28-24 defeat at Brixham.

Chew Valley went back to the summit on the strength of their 43-23 away win over relegation worriers Weston.

But it remains tight at the top with Chew (57pts), Services (56) and Barnstaple (54) all jostling for the promotion spot.

Even Brixham (48pts) are not out of the running yet, although the need a few favours to make up some of the lost ground as they have no double-pointers left against any of teams above them.

Launceston (45pts) have it all to do after their derby day defeat by Okehampton, who were celebrating their first win in six starts.

Kieran Leach, the team manager at Devonport Services, said the side's first loss after seven straight wins was disappointing rather than disastrous.

"Our run had to end sometime and had we lost badly it would have been more of a worry," said Leach.

"With eight games to go there are plenty of points still to play for and one narrow defeat, which we took two points from, is not the end of the world."

Services were never behind from the 16th minute, when lock Mark Friend barged over and Matt Neyle converted, until the fifth minute of the second half when Brixham went 15-14 up.

Tit-for-tat it went after that until former Plymouth Albion speedster Matt Crosscombe finally got away from Services defence to score the winning try.

“We know what Matt is capable of a had done a pretty good job of ‘looking after’ him until then,” said Leach.

Leach said there was no single thing Services did that poorly, other than their decision making was questionable at times.

“Our forwards had the upper hand for most of the backs and if you put them in front of Brixham’s backs you would have quite a side,” said Leach.