Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE? Today, we have a thrilling match-up that will keep you on the edge of your seats! Two fierce rivals, two formidable teams, two x 40-minute rounds of non-stop action! In the red corner, we have the hosts, the mighty Barnstaple Athletic! And in the blue corner, we have the challengers, the fearless South Molton! Who will emerge victorious in this epic clash of the North Devonians? Who will claim the bragging rights and the glory? There is only one way to find out! Get your ringside seat at Pottington Road and witness the spectacle that is about to unfold! The battle begins at 2.30pm sharp! Don’t miss it!

Also at 2.30 pm, we have another exciting bout for you! For the first time this season, we have the Barnstaple Buccaneers at Pottington Road, as they take on the mighty South Molton 2nd XV! Will the Buccaneers sail to victory or will they sink under the pressure? Find out as they face off in a thrilling encounter!

We also have some action from the road as the Chiefs travel to their biggest challenge of the season, Chew Valley! The Chiefs have been on a roll with two successful wins at home, but can they keep up the momentum against their toughest opponents yet? And what about the Colts? They are also on the move as they travel to Sidmouth for another exciting match! Will they bring home the bacon or will they come back empty-handed? Stay tuned for all the updates and results from these amazing matches!

Before all that just the usual announcements for your pleasure starting with next weekend and a great opportunity to grab some friends and enjoy a luscious 2 course meal before the game against Devonport, and then to round off the evening watch England v Chile followed by what many are calling the big one, the precursor to the final, Ireland v South Africa on the big screen

A great opportunity to grab some friends and enjoy a luscious 2 course meal before the game against Devonport, and then to round off the evening watch England v Chile followed by Ireland v South Africa on the big screen

WE are chuffed to announce yet another local buisness is joining our mrmbership scheme and one that has been a long time supporter of Barnstaple rugby Paiges Lane Barbers who are offering 10% discount to all members

The new memberships for 2023/24 season are now live and ready for you to grab with eager anticipation for the coming season and to make it a more streamlined membership we have decided to remove several layers and there is now just one membership plan for Barnstaple rugby which is simply a FULL MEMBERSHIP and will last from 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024. We have also introduced a heavily discounted Married Couples Membership. The prices are as follows:

Full Membership – £100 (£90 for over 65s)

Married Couples Membership (2 x Full Memberships) – £170

Senior Player Membership (Full Membership and eligible for selection) – £130

In addition to the usual benefits we always have, there is also a Barnstaple Members Scheme which on producing your card a certain local business you will get a discount on your purchases.

The Lemon Tree Café at 10 Holland Walk– 10% off when you spend over £5 on production of a valid Barnstaple RFC Membership Card.

BeerMatters at 7 Tuly Street – Ask (Simon or his team) for discount when you are there.

Harrys Café at 3 Bear Street – 10% off on production of a valid Barnstaple RFC Membership Card.

Craftys Bar and Restaurant at 15-16 Butchers Row – 10% off if you spend £30 + and produce your Barnstaple RFC Membership Card.

Specsavers – Gammon Walk – 10% discount on purchases on production of a valid Barnstaple RFC Membership Card.

Paiges Lane Barbers – Paiges Lane – 10% discount on purchases on production of a valid Barnstaple RFC Membership Card.

THe list is growing and I’m sure will grow stronger with each season. Don’t forget the other benefits of becoming a member with the following.

The prestige of being a member of the Premier sports club in North Devon.

Be a shareholder of the Club with a right to vote at the AGM.

Discounted entry to games for Spouse (£9).

Free entry to all league matches.

Free Parking and Match Day program.

25% discount for club hire.

Be eligible to apply to enter a ballot for international tickets (Note: due to restricted numbers of ticket allocations, not every application will be successful).

So what are you waiting for don’t hesitate, jump right in, and prepare yourself for a fantastic season.

For full details and the link to the membership form click this link 2023/24 MEMBERSHIP

BARNSTAPLE CHIEFS

What an exciting match against Brixham that was last Saturday. Brixham were definitely a sterner test for the Chiefs and contributed to what was a real spectacle of rugby out there for everyone to enjoy, in the most extreme of conditions for September, one person measured the Temperature at 30.5 degrees, wow!. Kudos and complete admiration for the toughness and fitness shown by both sides in conditions a high octane game of rugby should not be played in, well done!

It was The Chiefs that made early headway, pressing Brixham, who gave up plenty of penalties and a warning from the ref. All the pressure finally paid off when Dominic Robson from short range powered his way over the try line in the 10th minute, converted by Tyler Gordon-Oke, who was in great form with a 100% kicking success out there. Another penalty and another 3 points for the Chiefs extended their lead to 10-0 and all looked rosy in the garden. Then Brixham in their first real threat saw the Chiefs receive a yellow card and this awakened Brixham who went on to score two tries and a penalty which the Chiefs countered with another 3 points to end the half leading the Chiefs 13-15.

The second half started poorly for the Chiefs with too many spilled balls and knock-ons to really get going and to top it off Brixham secured their third try to lead 13-20. The Chiefs continued to try things and continue to spill the ball but by the halfway mark they were getting more phases in and things began to stick. Up stepped youngster Morgan Gabe who in his first start for the Chiefs in a competitive game at full back took on two of Brixhams defenders running right through them and then with a defender hanging on to his coat tails Morgen landed a one-handed pass to Will Topps leaving him clear for a triumphant roaring sprint to the try line, and boy was he happy with that one. This seemed to reenergise the Chiefs and everything started to click as the Chiefs exerted more and more pressure on Brixham, the visitors started to conceded penalties, two of which were converted for points by Tyler from close to the half-way line. This began to settle the Chiefs who played some more assured rugby. This was evidenced when Ross Swales in tons of space sealed the win in emphatic style as Barnstaple closed out the game 33-20

So a good win against a tougher opponent and with the heat and humidity a match that could have easily gone belly up, but the Chiefs stuck to their guns in what they are trying to achieve and whilst there are things to work on, including getting out of third gear, their desire and passion is notable. 

This weekend is going to be another even bigger test as they travel to Chew Valley for what is a showdown with probably Barnstaple Chiefs biggest threat in the league. Chew Valley have maximum points so far with an 80-6 home win over Okehampton in week one followed by a 26-35 win at St. Austell. A very dangerous team that Barnstaple will need to be careful of. Last season they came second in the league including beating league winners and promoted Camborne at home. So a very good team which are going to take a lot of skill, patience and solid rugby to overcome.

This means that the Chiefs will have to go up  a gear from last Saturday and play with the intensity, passion and power they showed in National 2 last season. To do just that there are several players returning to the squad including Captain Sam Roberts, Jake Murphy and Martinas Dromantis. With the weather becoming cooler there is ample chance for the Chiefs to show what they are all about. Here then is your Chiefs team for this Saturday at Chew Valley.

barnstaple ATHLETIC 

Another weekend and another close game as Athletic visited Ivybridge. The game did not go Barnstaple’s way from the start as Ivybridge scored two converted tries without reply in the first half to go in at the break 14-0. However the half time talk must have worked its magic as the Tic’s regrouped and scored with furious speed, three tries in 15 minutes. The first from Ryan Jago after just four minutes followed by Joe essenger going over just three minutes later. Then on the 55th minute mark Dylan Kingdon found the tryline to give the Tic’s the lead at 14-17, which was the only try converted and that would haunt Athletic. 

Mayhem with just 10 minutes saw Ivybridge go down to 13 following a red and a yellow and then somehow scoring a converted try two minutes later, saw Ivybridge go ahead 21-17 with just seven minutes to play. Ivybridge’s defense stood their groud and possibly a combination of heat exhaustion and frustration Athletic could not find a way through but did pick up a losing bonus point as the game ended 21-17 to Ivybridge.

So a really tough contest and one that I’m sure will provide some steel in the team for the coming season. Today’s game however is going to be just as tough if not tougher as South Molton find themselves in third place following a season opening 20-26 win at Old Plymothian & Mannamedian followed by a home win last weekend against Plymouth Argaum 40-31. this is a much improved side to the one that lost here last season 48-0 and 0-38 at their own ground and I think will prove to be a great game between these two teams. One things for sure Athletic need that first win of the season just to settle them and so they will need to come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders and maintain that intesity throughout to do so.

Here then is your Athletic team to face South Molton

Bucc’s and Colts

The Buccaneers Cruised had a week off last weekend following their bonus point win against Ilfracombe a fortnight ago 17-31. 

They have three consecutive home fixtures beginning with this one against South Molton 2nd XV, 23rd against Bideford 2nd XV which will be a cracker and finally the following week Ilfracombe on the return leg before a deserved fortnights rest.

We also for the first time and hopefully not the last, a full line up for you for this fixture. So, here is your Buccaneers to face South Molton 2nd XV.

Bucc’s and Colts

It has been a difficult start to the season for this  Colts side, beaten by 50 points in both their opening home games. There is obviously a lot of work still to be carried out with this very young Colts side that features a majority of 1st year Colts, who will need to gain experience very quickly over the coming weeks.

THis weekend they travel to Sidmouth with hopefully a more encouraging performance last weekend they did create oppotunities scoring twice so there is potential for them. Hopefully as the season progresses this Colts side will continue to improve and gradually get confidence in their play.

Here then is your Colts team travelling to Sidmouth

So there you have ladies and gentleman, a big day for all our teams and if you are on twitter I have been promised live updates on the score throughout the Chiefs game at Chew Valley. Next weekend the Chiefs are back home in another Devon Derby against Devonport, a team i don’t think the Chiefs have played competitively in many a year. This promises to be a great game on the cards as Devonport currently sit in second place on maximum points, a real fire cracker of a game this one is going to be and you will not want to miss it, kick off is 2.30pm.

The Bucc’s are also at home against Bideford 2nd XV, what a game that promises to be. Whilst Athletic and Colts are on the road, Athletic travel to Withycombe and the Colts to Devonport.

I hope I see plenty of you here today to watch Athletic show their skills in what does promise to be a fascinating game of rugby. For now however have a great evening.