Services overcome Brixham in thriller

DEVONPORT Services came from behind to beat Brixham 33-27 in a thrilling Devon Senior Cup final at the Rectory Services were never ahead from the fifth minute of the match until the hour mark when wing Matt Richards went over in the corner to put them 22-20 up.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Even then there was plenty of drama to come in the last quarter as Brixham regained the lead again despite having a player sent off to sit 27-25 up with two minutes left on referee Fergus Connolly's watch.

With two minutes to play Brixham gave away a penalty in kicking range and Kieran Down popped it over for a one-point lead.

And six minutes into stoppage time Tyler Busfield scored from a penalty line-out to put settle the destination of the cup.

It was Services first win in the Devon Cup final in their 111-year history and was greeted with scenes of jubilation on the pitch and in the main grandstand.

Brixham will no doubt reflect on the effect of losing players to cards in the second half. They were down to 13 for a while and 14 men permanently when J P Simonetti was sent off for his second yellow-card offence.

The words of Adam Thomas, the Brixham coach, before the match proved prescient.