Tamar are unable to keep up with Ilfracombe's flying start

ILFRACOMBE returned to form with a devastating start against Tamar Saracens.

Combe raced into the lead with four tries in the first 20 minutes of the Tribute Devon Two match.

They crossed five times in total in a 45-5 home win.

It was their third successive victory but a marked improvement on the narrow, five-point win against bottom side Plympton Victoria last time out.

Leo Cooper, the Ilfracombe captain, said: "It was a much-needed good performance after the last league game, which was disappointing.

"We came out of the traps really quickly.It was fantastic, like a knife through butter at times.

"When we play like that there are not many sides who can live with it."

Lock forward Sam Morgan-Russell had the finishing touch to a couple of rolling mauls, while the other tries came from his brother Louis Morgan-Russell, Freddie Boulton, Dan Wheeler, Nicky Sandbach and Dan Brierley.

Brierley added five conversions to take his points tally for the season past 100.

Ilfracombe are in third place, a point behind Dartmouth who they host on March 3.

This weekend they visit Buckfastleigh Ramblers.

Cooper said: "We have got to take our strongest side and tune in mentally because it will be a real battle."