Fishermen content with squad for rest of season

BRIXHAM won't be adding to their current squad before the transfer deadline at the end of the month.

The Fishermen, who pounded Chippenham 69-33 last Saturday, have targets for next season but aren't saying who.

Assistant coach Ian Morgan confirmed Brixham are looking around but for next season.

"We are going pretty well with what we have so there isn't any real reason to change things," said Morgan.

Morgan didn't offer any clues, although another pair of hands in the backs may be welcome following the departure of Kyle Browne.

Browne, last season's leading try scorer with 25, left earlier this month and right now is without a club. A rumoured return to Devonport Services fell through.

Tom McLean and Darren Pitts scored two tries each in Brixham's win over Chippenham.

It was quite a turnaround from the defeat by Weston seven days earlier thanks to lessons learned from watching the match DVD.

"Chippenham's defence wasn't as well organised, which helped, but we helped ourselves looking after the ball better and not kicking it back to the opposition all the time," said Morgan.

Brixham had a dream start. Harry Davis went over in the corner in the first minute. Ian Morgan slotted the conversion and a penalty soon after.

A converted try for Chippenham reduced the lead to three points. Quick hands gave Matt Crosscombe, on the left wing, an opportunity for the second try which Morgan converted.

"Matt is getting a try a game now as he is learning what is required of him at this level," said Morgan of Brixham's capture from Paignton.

With half-time approaching four tries in five minutes got the crowd on their feet.

The visitors struck first with their second try, answered almost immediately by Brixham when pressure by the forwards enabled No.8 Jarryd Harris to spot a gap and go over.

Another Chippenham try was cancelled out by flanker Sam Thomas touching down to leave Brixham 31-21 up.

Centre McLean burst through a high tackle to score the fifth for Brixham; lock Dylan Flashman got the sixth after the Fishermen went through a succession of phases.

McLean went over in the corner for number seven and his break set Jamie Shone up to make it eight halfway through the period. Three conversions had taken Brixham to a safe 57-21 lead.

The last two tries both went to Darren Pitt – his first two for Brixham. The first required his fellow forwards' aid to propel him over; the second followed some classy juggling by the backs.

Between these Chippenham had scored an interception try and they had the last word when their forwards went over for the final touchdown.

Brixham have a week off on Saturday as other teams play matches postponed earlier in the season. Exmouth, away, the following week is the next league fixture.

BRIXHAM U9s' less experienced side learned plenty of lessons from their games against Withycombe.

The Exmouth-based outfit won the first game 70-40 and a second scratch game by a distance.

Brixham did well to hold Withycombe to just a 25-20 lead in the first half of the opening game. Spencer Jarvis was instrumental in keeping Brixham in the game with two tries.

Jarvis was helped by good tries from Spencer Phipps and Vaughan Fletcher, in what was turning out to be an excellent game to watch.

The second half was played at equal intensity, with some great tackles being made.

Brixham did lose some shape in defence and were punished by the speed of the Withycombe attacks.

For Brixham, second half tries were scored by Luke Noakes, Vaughan Fletcher and man of the match Jarvis ,who ran in his third and fourth.

In the second game there were tries for Jake Curtis – textbook front row stuff – and Connor Walker.

Brixham now look forward to a date at Paignton.