Welcome back folks to another pre match Mighty Barum blog as we prepare for another Barnstaple Chiefs encounter at Pottington road where they take on an old foe from our early days at Nat 2, Old Redcliffians in another National 2 west fixture sponsored by Bray Leino who are also supporting the North Devon hospice, Rubita Construction and T & M Taverns Limited. More on that later as also Barnstaple Athletics’ games against South Molton and yes they are still to return home but at least this time they are just down the road at South Molton. There is no Bucc’s game this weekend as the lads take a well deserved rest following a very good win against South Molton 2nd XV last weekend where we have some photos of that game at the end of the blog. Next weekend though the Bucc’s have a very mouth watering encounter with Bideford 2nd XV with both teams at the top of the merit table undefeated with 3 wins each, so this game is a must watch fixture for all you loyal Barum supporters out there as it’s free entry just your beer money is all you need to watch the biggest derby of the season so far and believe me our Bucc’s are a very entertaining side to watch. Before all that though a couple of important announcements to begin with beginning with Locker Stash and a fantastic offer for your old rugby kit just read the poster below and get digging out all that kit..
Also the festive time is getting ever closer, amazing how quickly it jumps right out at us, anyway Barnstaple rugby are having a festive tables of ten event for the Chiefs v Honiton game on December 17th details in the poster below.
Finally before we get to the fixtures, bonfire night is just around the corner, Sunday November 6th to be precise, and North Devon’s biggest fireworks night extravaganza returns to Pottington Road as Barnstaple Round table again share their brilliant display with us. This year the event will be supporting Care for Kids and Encompass who support families and individuals across the North Devon area. Details below.
At last you say, and yes this weekend Barnstaple Chiefs welcome to Pottington Road the Old Redcliffians who last visited here in December 2017 when both teams were in National 2 South as it was then. That game was quite a raucous affair with the Chiefs Kyle Spear red carded after just 26 minutes and the Chiefs playing with 14 men for the rest of the game. That is except for 10 minutes in the second half when a yellow for the Chiefs and 2 yellows for Old Redcliffians reduced both teams to 13 men, at least there was no 6 tackles and hand over the ball in this game. Barnstaple were leading going into the final 10 minutes when an Old Redcliffian try 6 minutes from the end meant the sides left the field honours even at 22-22. Hopefully today’s game will be a much quieter affair.
As for where the two teams sit Old Redcliffians are currently in 9th place with two wins under their belt on 12 points while Barnstaple are currently propping up the table with just 5 points and a solitary win from their 6 games. Both teams suffered heavy losses last weekend as they both meet title challengers with the Chiefs being well and truly beaten at Dings Crusaders and similarly Old Redcliffians lost at home to Leicester Lions. So today’s game between these two will give the Barnstaple supporters a good idea of how we fair going into the second quarter of the season and with both teams out to prove a point I expect this to be a very exciting game.
Complementing this is the news of some fan favourites returning to the squad including Matt Gohl who is celebrating his 150th appearance for the Chiefs so huge congratulations to Matt. Also Ben Hilton starts having responded to the call last weekend with Adam Lloyd pulling out at the last minute last weekend and to round off the good news Dylan Gosling returns after a spell away and the Barum Faithful get a first look at new signing Meli Navaka, here then is the team to take on Old Redcliffians
Barnstaple Athletic
With the Bucc’s having a breather and the Colts awaiting the next stage of their season that just leaves Athletic who are on the shortest trip of this marathon set of fixtures on the road, just a mere 13 miles to South Molton. Now this will be quite a significant game for the Tic’s as South Molton are just 1 place above them by just a point with both teams taking 3 wins from their opening games so far this season. Although South Molton’s 37-11 win at home to Ivybridge Vandals last weekend certainly will give them a massive amount of confidence going into this one, however for Athletic having two wins on the road, against 4th place Withycombe and last weekend against North Tawton, they know what it takes to get a result away from home. This too looks to be another exciting fixture and a good indicator where both teams are heading. Here then is the team to face South Molton
Well that’s it from me for another week. As per usual there won’t be a match report from me on Sunday, unfortunately the way work is I just haven’t got the time but if anyone else would like to produce one and email it to me I will be very happy to publish it for them on this blog. If not then expect my thoughts on the game this Saturday in next week’s pre match post and remember next weekend is a massive one for Barnstaple as the Bucc’s take on Bideford 2nd XV in a top of the table crunch match, what more excitement do you need kick off is 2.30 and will be the last kick 0ff at that time as when the clocks go back we will be reverting to a 2pm kick off time from 5th November
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