BRIXHAM forgot the game plan in the second half, which spared Sidmouth an even heavier defeat than the 36-3 one they received.

The Fishermen raced into a 31-3 half-time lead by playing continuity rugby and starving Sidmouth of possession.

The second half was different story with Sidmouth hanging on to the ball while Brixham were handicapped by playing for 20 minutes a man down after Dean Avery and Ricky Seymour were sin-binned.

A Martin Browne try at the death ensured Brixham finished on a high, although coach Dan Parkes wasn't hugely impressed with the second 40 minutes.

"We found it harder to get out hands on the ball and when we did we failed to string phases together," said Parkes.

"In the first half we would keep the ball through four or five phases and the tries followed. It was almost like walking them in.

"The only time we did it in the second half was when Martin Browne scored right at the end."

Early pressure from the Fishermen, and penalties conceded by Sidmouth, brought an opening try when hooker Avery was propelled over the line by the pack.

Sidmouth failed to hit back quickly when a Dan Retter penalty attempt went wide and were soon further behind.

From a scrum in front of the posts scrum-half Mark Harvey came away from the base and the Sidmouth defence parted to allow him an easy passage to the try-line.

Another scrum midway through the half provided the next opportunity. Brixham won it, winger Cory Moore made a break and Harvey was on hand to finish off. Ben Lovell converted from the touchline – having missed the first two attempts – and Brixham had a 17-point lead.

Four minutes later the slick Brixham passing was finished by the strong running of centre Kyle Browne, who touched down for the fourth try. Lovell converted.

Sidmouth got on the scoreboard with a Retter penalty, but Brixham finished the half in style.

A good break from flanker Dylan Flashman, quickly recycled ball and passing through the backs enabled full-back Jamie Shone to go over. Lovell's conversion gave Brixham a 31-3 lead at the break.

The second period proved the adage that rugby is a game of two halves!

Sidmouth adopted a limited game-plan with their forwards making all the headway and their backs virtually spectators.

In the final seconds a rare Brixham attack provided the icing on the victory cake when No. 8 Martin Browne finished off the move with a well-deserved try.

PAIGNTON discovered what other teams have learned this year when they paid a maiden visit to Churchdown in Gloucester.

Chosen Hill are a tough proposition at home – play-off favourites Newton Abbot lost there – and never know when they are beaten.

The Cherries were 20-0 up at the break, but saw that lead whittled away to just five points in the second half before claiming a 30-22 win.

A try off the back of a scrum by Paignton captain Pete Mortimore provided the breathing space needed to be sure of bringing home the points.

"It was hard work but we got there in the end," said Paignton coach Mark Beavis.

"Our best rugby was played in the first half when we were skinning them outside and all they could do was try to slow us up.

"We knew they would put us under the cosh eventually, and they did getting back to 20-15, which left us a bit twitchy.

"Pete Mortimore's try was important as it gave us a bit if a cushion and meant they had to play catch-up, which is never easy.

"Once we got into the situation where they had to score twice, I was always confident."

Flanker Sam Nelson-Smith bagged two tries for the winners – one an opportunist score when a Matt Jackson penalty bounced back off the Chosen Hill woodwork and he was the quickest to react.

Jake Jenkinson was Paignton's other try scorer.

Jackson converted two from three and a couple of penalties, the last in the dying minutes to keep Chosen Hill at arm's length.