Good evening, everyone and welcome back to an infrequent mighty Barum blog as we await the start of the new season and with just 4 weekends to go it is beginning to get frantic in all departments at Barnstaple Rugby. Tomorrow the senior squad begin their pre-season matches as they travel to Launceston before embarking on three home games beginning with Exmouth on the 13th August. Then its Brixham and Okehampton to come in the following weeks. It will be a frantic time for the squad with so many players trying to get some game time in before the season starts and against these opponents it is rarely friendly so make sure you get yourself down to the club to watch the Barnstaple senior squad get put through its paces and how it is shaping up.

The three home games this August are.

  • Aug 13th  Exmouth kick off 2.30pm
  • Aug 20th  Brixham kick off 2.30pm
  • Aug 27th  Okehampton kick off 2.30pm

Then it’s the start of the season and that all important first game for the Chiefs on Sept 3rd here at Pottington Road against Exeter Uni, the Chiefs first Devon Derby in 2 seasons and what a fantastic day it promises to be. It will be interesting to see how this Exeter Uni side have shaped up since we last played them in 2019/20 and a win in the first game will give the Chiefs all the confidence and momentum they would like to enjoy at the start. Click here for all CHIEFS FIXTURES

Now to Athletic who are getting very excited for their 1st season playing in a competitive league and it will be tough for them and head coach Luke Berry is under no illusions as to what is required. Athletic will have to be at their best to make an impression this season, but we know that when it clicks for Athletic, they can work magic out there. Their fixtures are now up on the website just click this link ATHLETIC FIXTURES, to see them however below we have list all their home games for September.

  • Sept 3,  3:00 pm WITHYCOMBE vs BARNSTAPLE ATHLETIC
  • Sept 10, 2:30 pm BARNSTAPLE ATHLETIC vs IVYBRIDGE VANDALS
  • Sept 17, 3:00 pm EXMOUTH QUINS vs BARNSTAPLE ATHLETIC
  • Sept 24, 2:30 pm BARNSTAPLE ATHLETIC vs EXETER SARACENS

As you can see their first game is a trip to Withycombe before taking on and hopefully exacting revenge against Ivybridge here at Pottington Road the following weekend.

There is a full program of Buccs games and Colts as well and they will be up on the website shortly.

Now to memberships which are now available to purchase from the members page just click this link MEMBERSHIPS. We all know and are dreading the coming winter which is going to be really tough for everyone as the cost of living crisis will be grabbing us by the you know what’s and the good news is that Barnstaple Rugby Club has decided not to raise the membership prices this season, not only that but included in the price of the Silver membership is the free entry to all Athletics’ home league games as part of the membership, that is an additional 11 home games here at Pottington Road for you to watch, hopefully making the winter a little bit more bearable.

Looking further it is an exceptional season of Internationals coming your way at Pottington Road with the Autumn internationals featuring England against both South Africa and New Zealand as all the major sides prepare for the world cup. All to be shown at Barnstaple Rugby Club.

Then there is the 6 Nations which is increasingly looking like one of the most closely contested 6 nations in some while given as to how good the home nations did during the summer and there might be a surprise or two in store as there always in 2023.

There will be international tickets available for members or so I’m reliably informed and the membership secretary John Sloley will be sending out details to the members very soon, but if you can’t make it to either of the tournaments then watch the games here at Pottington Road where we will be showing all the games.

Finally the World Cup is just over 12 months away and you all know how quickly a year passes us all by and it only seems like Japan 2019 had not long finished. Anyway, here are the groups, England at least should progress nicely and it does look like Ireland and Scotland have the toughest journey with one of them not making it.

So, there you have it folks just a quick round up of what’s coming your way soon. Enjoy the rest of the summer apparently another heatwave is just around the corner so get in as much sun time as possible and I’ll catch up with you as soon as I have some more news

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