A crowd of more than 500 braved the Boxing Day storm to watch the annual derby between the two local rugby clubs.

League positions are often irrelevant in these games as both teams rise to the occasion. Salcombe got off to a flying start after a penalty was given immediately after the kick-off.

Fly-half Chris Drew stepped up to send the ball over for the game's first points.

Salcombe dominated the opening exchanges and could have been further ahead, but Drew's two further penalty attempts drifted agonisingly wide.

Kingsbridge soon settled and began to get a foothold into the game. Sharp breaks down the blind side caught Salcombe sleeping at times as they edged closer to the line.

A Salcombe infringement led to an attacking line-out for Kings­bridge 10 metres out.

The Kings pack controlled the catch and drive to score their first try of the afternoon through Ali Hamilton, full-back George Ban­field converting.

Kingsbridge now had the upper hand at the set piece and be­gan to spread the ball wide.

Salcombe's backs dealt with the danger and had Jon Squire and Chris Drew to thank for try-saving tackles after good attacking runs from Ben Newman and James Trout. Both sets of packs were going toe to toe in the driving wind.

The Salcombe back row of Stuart Winzer, James Palmer and Rich­ard Gregson worked tirelessly in the loose attacking and defending.

As half time ap­proached Salcombe had their own catch and drive that was pulled down and turned over close to the line for the visitors to clear.

Trailing 3-7 at the break, the Crabs knew that they were still in the game but needed to address a few issues.

The Kingsbridge line-out was working really well and they set up a number of catch and drives inside the Salcombe half.

It didn't take long before the Blue and Whites scored their second try using the same method as the first score, this time number eight Jack Cope dotting down, Banfield again adding the extras.

At times the weather took centre stage as both teams struggled to maintain possession for any prolonged periods of time.

After gaining field position, Salcombe were forced to concede a five-metre scrum. That man Cope controlled the ball well to touch down for his second of the game, but Banfield this time erred with the kick.

At no stage did the Salcombe heads drop during the game. They threw everything they could at their opponents, but couldn't get the field position to set up the attacks.

Off a turnover ball created by centre Ian Smerdon, Salcombe launched a counter attack just outside of their own 22.

With the pitch open­ed up, the final pass didn't go to hand and Kingsbridge kicked ahead the loose ball.

Wing Jack Evans won the foot race to the ball to score the final points of the afternoon.

Salcombe can be proud of the way they performed against a side which play three leagues ahead of the Devon Two side.

The Crabs will look to carry on their recent good league form as they host Buckfastleigh on January 10 at Two­meads.