Good evening folks and welcome back to the Mighty Barum Blog and yes you have read that correctly the fixtures for the forthcoming season have been announced and the Chiefs begin the season with back-to-back home games for the first two weekends of 2023/24, whilst Athletic begin their campaign with back-to-back games on the road. Before all that though a couple of housekeeping items for later this month beginning with the AGM which is being held on 22nd June at the club, anyone interested in joining the committee should get their name down with a secondar, there is a notice at the club on the message board where you can add your name to join the committee. Also, we are always on the lookout for volunteers to help out at the club whether that be on match days with the various tasks that require attention or with the Tuesday club working with the Maintenace and grounds team or even if you have skills, you think would benefit the club, then please contact the Committee chair Paul Shaddick at chair@barnstaplerugby.com
Lastly just a brief announcement that the club will be showing as many of the World Cup games as is possible with all the England games showing live at the club and with specials available during the matches so keep your eyes on Facebook, twitter and this website for further information.
Okay then back to the fixtures and for the Chiefs the season starts with back-to-back fixtures against old rivals Weston-Super-Mare on the 2nd September followed by a visit from Brixham on the 9th. Couldn’t have asked for a better start to be honest, two exciting matches to get the season off to a flying start. Talking of old rivalries, we will be battling with several teams we know all too well this season including Okehampton, Exmouth and Ivybridge. There are some new teams, well new to me although the Chiefs may have played them before back in the mists of time, with Chew Valley who herald from Bristol and compete in their second season in the regional 1 Southwest league having been promoted in 2021/22 as did Devonport Services and Lydney who ply their trade on the other side of the Seven. Chew Valley made the biggest impression coming second last season behind champions Camborne and will be a tough opponent when the Chiefs get to play them.
Matson RFC are a Gloucester based side and will probably be the Chiefs longest trek this season. They are playing their first season in this league having been promoted as league champions’ last season. St. Austell too have been promoted as Champions of their league and will be competing in their first season in this league.
So there you have folks a fantastic season awaits us from September and a lot of exciting rugby, for the full fixture list for the Chiefs click this link Barnstaple Chiefs fixtures
Boxing Day this year will see the annual derby matches with the Chiefs visiting Bideford this year and Athletic at home for an 11am kick off. That’s it for the Chiefs now a quick overview for Athletic
As mentioned, Athletic begin restart their Counties 2 Tribute Devon campaign with two games on the road against newly promoted newcomers Plymouth Argaum, and Ivybridge Vandals before playing their first home game against neighbours South Molton. With high hopes of achieving even more this season their journey will be much more varied than last season which saw Athletic play 8 or 9 consecutive games on the road before they get back on home soil, this time round it is a much better schedule and one I think will give them a lot of impetus going forward.
With Tavistock promoted and Brixham Crusaders relegated, there is another new team for Athletic to contend with, Old Plymothian & Mannamedian, try saying that after a skinfull, another newly promoted side. So there are several challenges for Athletic with two newly promoted teams to contend with and of course Torquay Athletic who just squeezed out Barnstaple for that second place last season, it looks to be a thrilling season for the Tic’s as well. You can find all of Athletics’ fixtures just click this link Barnstaple Athletic Fixtures
As for the Bucc’s and Colts still waiting for their finalisation before putting them up so watch this space and we will be announcing the pre-season fixtures sometime in July. If you want to view all the home games coming up then click this link Home Games
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