Welcome everyone to another blogpost and what glorious weather we are finally getting as Spring has finally struck. Don’t forget the clocks go back this Sunday morning and kick off times for all matches will be 2.30pmm as of next week, except the final Chiefs game against Clifton on April 30th which is a 3pm kick off as are all the National League games on the final round of the season.

Today the Chiefs begin their final six games of the season with a trip up the M5 to the Midlands and a date with Leicester Lions. This is going to be a tough one as the Lions have only lost 1 game at home and the Chiefs will need all their resolve, composure and commitment to get something out of this one. But before we have a look at the team line up we also have a massively important game at Pottington Road at 2pm as Barnstaple Colts take on Sidmouth Colts in their final league game of the season before the finals on April 24th.

This game is vital for Barnstaple’s Colts as winning this game, preferably with a bonus point, puts them in a very good position to make those finals. After a defeat at home against favourites Ivybridge in their first game, the Colts have really made their mark winning at Kingsbridge and Newton Abbot before facing undefeated Topsham Colts here at Pottington Road last Saturday. In a tough game the Colts took a 14-point lead at half time and played superbly winning 19-12 to give themselves every chance coming into today’s game with just a point behind Topsham. If the Colts can grab the win, then it’s up to Topsham to try and turnover Ivybridge leaving a tense finale to the end of this league table.

Sidmouth will be coming in to this game in high spirits after beating Kingsbridge at home 33-19 and will prove to be tricky opponents and it will need Barnstaple to put everything they have learned this season into 1 final push to reach those finals and that push could be hugely improved upon if we can get as many of you Barum supporters down to Pottington Road for this game and give the youngsters your support, it’s free entry, the bar is open and there are no more 6 nations so you nave no excuse get yourselves down there and get ready to watch some cracking rugby. Here then is the team to face Sidmouth,

Impact players

16: Luke Pearce

17: Ted Brewer

18: Louis Beer

19: Ryan Jago

20: Dylan Kingdon

21: Semi Koroilagilagi Kurisaqila

22: Charlie Hakin

23: Fred Rees-Cooper

So to the Chiefs and a very difficult game in the midlands awaits them. Hopefully the team will put in a good shift and get home to face Barnes next weekend relatively unscathed. Returning to the squad from Injury for this one is Alfie May and Dan Johnson while Domonic Robson having warmed up with the seconds last week is back with the Chiefs following a lengthy spell out. Here then is the team to face Leicester.

BENCH

16.Gav Mitchel
Sponsored by Function Fitness

17. Alfie May
Sponsored by DS Carpentry

18. Domonic Robson
Sponsored by Harry’s Cafe

19.Josh Pilkington
Sponsored by Ocean Shade, Canopies & Awning

20.  Dan Johnson
Sponsored by Tom Johnson Decorators

UKRAINE APPEAL

Finally the U14’s are on a mission to help those in Ukraine and helped by the Exeter Chiefs who have kindly donated 200 of these bags for their Ukraine appeal. The under 14s want to fill these bags with bits and bobs that the unfortunate Ukrainian children might like to help them get through this devastating period.

What we need though is help with filling the bags. If you could pop down to the club on Sunday morning or either Tuesday or Thursday evening next week, between the hours of 6:30pm and 8:30pm and collect one of these bags, you could help the under 14s accomplish their mission and get every single one of these bags filled.

Here’s a few ideas of what to fill your bags up with…

Ball, Rubix cube, pens/felt tips, note books, Frisbee, sweets, Playing cards, tooth paste/brush, deodorant, chewing gum, led battery operated light/torch, batteries, comb etc!

Please no chocolate or anything that could be crushed. No liquids/glass. Nothing that relates to war or violence. When you have filled a bag please tie on a label stating the age that you feel the bag would be suitable for. Filled bags can be returned to Harriet, Julie or Verity they should be around Sunday morning here at the club and Verity will be at the club Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It would be wonderful to think that if we work together we could bring a bit a relief and a smile to so many young people.

Well that’s it for another week remeber to put your clocks forward an hour. Next weekend the Chiefs are back on home soil to face Barnes which should be a cracking game of rugby. Kick off will be 2.30pm so an extra half hour lie in or drinking time at the bar whatever you fancy.

Good luck to both the Chiefs and the Colts and I’ll catch up with you all next weekend.

COME ON YOU MIGHTY BARUM!