NEW Cullompton coaching duo Chris Wall and Keith Brooking were disappointed by the 'flat' nature of their side's opening day defeat to South West 1 West new boys Old Redcliffians.

Brooking had highlighted the similarities between the two sides before the match, with Old Reds winning promotion from Western Counties North and the Intermediate Cup at Twickenham last season — a year after Cully had done the corresponding double.

But the hosts showed their strength from the start, while Cullompton were uncharacteristically wasteful in possession.

Reds went in front just two minutes in, when Richie Walker crossed following a driving maul.

Adam Pearce responded with a penalty, but the visitors found it hard to get their usual expansive game going.

And the home team took advantage of their hesitancy and aimless kicking game as Craig Owen bagged a double and Ashley Groves and Liam McCreight scored a try apiece for the Bristol outfit.

The only bright moments for Cully came in the form of tries for Dan Reed and Paul Baker, with Pearce converting the latter. But ultimately it wasn't enough as the hosts held on for a deserved win.

Wall admits that the side missed the presence of injured players Rob Hammett, Jemba Bull and Sam Harris, while Brooking himself was forced off with a calf knock on 15 minutes.

But he reckons that his men will up their game as they get into their stride.

"We were flat at the start and apart from a five minute spell at the end of the first half and a 10 minute spell at the end of the second half, we stayed flat throughout," said Wall.

"We missed some influential players and once they are back in the side I'm sure we will look stronger.

"We have been trying out new tactics and perhaps the players got bogged down in thinking about them too much rather than just going for it.

"But within time that will come together and we will begin competing effectively.

"Keith and I are new to the club and it will take a bit of time before we work out where we are."

Cully face Chippenham — who beat Clevedon 58-15 at the weekend — at Stafford Park this Saturday and Wall's fellow coach Brooking, who is unlikely to be fit for the encounter, is expecting an improved performance.

He said: "Chippenham are likely to be a strong side. They got a good win at the weekend.

"We will need to see a better performance and I'm sure the lads will be ready for it."

Cully's second team got off to a brilliant start in Devon Merit Table One, smashing newly promoted Kingsbridge 46-0.

After some early pressure by the league's new boys, Cullompton soon got into their stride with Rob Stanley notching a penalty.

Jimmy Holman went over out wide to increase their lead while Ross Toms slotted the extras.

After the ball was sent wide at the breakdown, Holman touched down again. And the winger got his debut hat-trick shortly after with Stanley again adding the extras. The skipper added a fourth Cully try before half-time.

The second half saw a welcome return for centre Jemba Bull who missed most of last season due to injury and it wasn't long before the pacy back crossed the line to score in his comeback game.

Lee Powell then scored with a great solo effort and Stanley added another try, which he converted himself to round things off in fantastic fashion.

The club's third team also got off to a flyer to their debut Merit Table Two campaign as they were convincing 20-10 winners over Totnes at Stafford Park.

Cully went in 3-0 down after a first half in which the hosts had done most of the defending.

But with the wind at their backs in the second period, Cullompton took charge. Fly-half Ben Pitkin was on target with an early penalty to bring the scores level before Steve Nockles and Alex Price scored the decisive tries.

Pitkin converted both scores and later added a penalty.