Rearranged fixture as Ivybridge 3rds unable to field a side

What a differnce a week of second team rugby makes. Topsham travelled to Bideford to play a rearranged fixture. Having the bear fifteen, Topsham began the game in good spirits and were rewarded with a converted try scored by Nathan Bowley within the first fifteen minutes. With no recognised backs Bideford broke away to score a try soon after the restart. Not losing heart Topsham still pressed forward and with some good work between Ian Jones and Bill Gates linking well, thus allowing Martin Coombes to score a weii deserved try. Still working hard they were rewaded with a penalty, which was kicked by Nathan Clark. At half time the score was 12 points all.

Numbers were reduced with an arm injury to Darren Davies who was unable to continue and the wheels started to come off. Adjustments had to be made resulting with some players out of position. However Topsham still played with conviction and could have increased the lead but dropped passes which did not help. From one of these errors Bideford gratefully ran away from within their own half to score a converted try. Handling errors continued and a further Bideford try was scored and ran out winners 24 points to 12. The team that played deserved better from some of their club mates. Very frustrating indeed.