SIDMOUTH Town were crowned as the champions of the Walter C Parson SW Peninsula League Premier East division following a victory over second-placed Newton Abbot Spurs on Saturday, April 12.

Toby Pullman netted early on to give Spurs the lead at Manstone Lane but Sidmouth then not only hit back but quickly stamped their own authority on the fixture as well.

Danny Pym equalised from the spot before Craig Veal scored a first-half brace to put his side in control. The two Louis’, Spaulding and Jagger-Cane, then got in on the act after the break to put the icing on the cake.

With the title out of reach, Spurs are now tasked with securing a second-place finish to send departing manager Marc Revell out on a high.

Five of the six Peninsula League East games saw the away side score once but still lose in fact with a 4-1 victory for Bridport FC on their travels, at Crediton United, serving as the outlier.

As a result, there were defeats for Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police and Teignmouth AFC whilst Bovey Tracey AFC, pictured, came from behind to overhaul rock-bottom Axminster Town at Mill Marsh Park.

Axminster led 1-0 at the break but a Cal Leech penalty in the early stages of the second half drew the teams level, before there were further goals from Levi Landricombe, Lewis Perring and Neil Last as well as the red mist descending on the visitors.

Sidmouth’s success at the summit moves them into the Jewson Western Football League, a division which Buckland Athletic are hopeful of getting out of this year.

Recent results don’t bode well for them, having lost five, drawn one and won one of their last seven outings. Saturday saw one of those defeats as they were beaten by Devon rivals Brixham AFC 2-1, Finn Newell scoring either side of half-time and Teigan Rosenquest halving the deficit with 20 or so minutes remaining.

It isn’t all doom and gloom for Buckland though as they remain in the top five, a point ahead of Nailsea & Tickenham with three league games left to play. Dan Hart’s side host Wellington on Friday, visit Ilfracombe Town on Easter Monday and then conclude the campaign against Nailsea of all teams, on Saturday, April 26.

Sticking with the Western League and a depleted Ivybridge Town side were put to the side by Portishead Town, losing 8-0 at the hands of the leaders who are one win away from securing the silverware.

Finally, to the Devon Football League, where Ipplepen Athletic were unable to hang on for a point away at Elmore. The pair were locked together at 1-1 at the break but two second-half goals earned Elmore all three points, moving up to seventh as a result.

This victory advances their position due to Dartmouth AFC’s defeat at the hands of Plymouth Marjon. Conceding two goals either side of half-time leaves the Darts in ninth.

How Ipplepen would love to be in ninth themselves- they are currently rock-bottom in 16th, having lost 22 of their 29 outings to date. North Molton Sports Club and Bere Alston United are both only two points better off but as a trio bringing up the rear, they are somewhat adrift of the rest of the division.