Good evening, folks and welcome to another blog post and boy do we have a cracking game of rugby for you at Pottington road this Saturday as the buccaneers prepare to welcome 2nd place Exeter engineers to Pottington Road in what will surely be an epic contest as the top two of Devon Merit table NE1 meet for the first time this season. While the Chiefs take a deserved break this weekend Athletic and Colts are both in action, on the road, with the Tic’s away to Exeter Saracens and Colts travel to Ivybridge.

BARNSTAPLE Buccaneers

But it is with the Bucc’s we start and what a game is in prospect for you and it is one none of you will not want to miss, The Buccaneers have been bang on form again this season, undefeated with 6 wins, five of which included bonus try points, and are looking good for the title currently sat at the top of the table. So too, however, are Exeter Engineers who are also undefeated but with only 4 games played and a bonus point in every game they trail the Bucc’s by 9 points in second place with a potential 10 points in hand. That’s the stakes folk’s winner takes all and if you have never seen a Bucc’s game it is always entertaining and with these two going head-to-head this will be an epic clash of the titans.

This is the last home game for the Bucc’s before the year’s end, they are away at South Molton on the 16th December before they enjoy a Christmas break. Here then is your Bucc’s team to face Exeter Engineers.

barnstaple ATHLETIC

Athletic slipped up last weekend in an epic battle by conceding a penalty in the last seconds of the game to lose 26-24. It was the home side that opened the scoring with a try in the 10th minute, yet two tries in 6 minutes from Tom Clark and Fraser Hartnoll before half time including one conversion the Tic’s went in at half time leading 10-12. The second half they increased their lead with Morgan Gabe and Oliver James going over in the first 20 minutes to take the lead to 13-24 and all looked good.

Unfortunately for Athletic the wheels seemed to have come off in the last 10 minutes as North Tawton, who had only won 1 previous game this season, scored a converted try with seven minutes left and earned themselves a penalty as the clock went into the red and with the last play of the game North Tawton converted which gave them a 26-24 victory. Nevertheless it is still 2 points earned and so they march on.

This weekend the Tic’s must put that defeat behind them and concentrate on this next game at Exeter Saracens who might just be emboldened after seeing that result. The Saracens themselves have six wins to their name, the same number as Athletic, and include amongst their victories Withycombe 25-7, Honiton 44-19 and they also shut out North Tawton on their visit 0-31. So, this is a team the enjoys scoring and will be a big test for Athletic.

Barnstaple Colts

The colts have a massive task as they travel to Ivybridge to face one of the better Colts teams in Devon. Yet this young Colts squad have learned quickly over the course of the season and will, I’m sure, Give the Ivybridge Colts a run for their money

Here then is your Barnstaple Athletic and Colts teams playing this weekend

barnstaple Chiefs in review.

So a deserved weekend off for the Chiefs to put their feet up before embarking on their next three games before the Christmas break which see’s them on a double header of matches on the road at St. Austell which marks the halfway mark in the season, then off to Brixham, a ground I have enjoyed visiting in the pass, and then the big one before the Christmas beak as Pottington Road welcomes Chew valley on the 16th December and we want a full house for this one.

It was another solid performance by the Chiefs against Okehampton last weekend especially in the second half where they really turned up the heat to score 4 tries to win 45-14.

Barnstaple didn’t have it all their own way however as they struggled to contain the ball which was knocked on way too many times during the first half. Some was unforced with the Chiefs a little too eager to get into the game at 100 miles an hour, but also playing with such a strong wind behind them and Okehampton’s solid tackling accounted for many of the drop balls as the Chiefs tried to impose themselves on the visitors. It wasn’t until the 20th minute following a penalty lineout that the maul produced the expected result as George Snell touched the ball down. Then with just a couple of minutes left in the half the Chiefs produced another dazzling play similar to that at Lydney where the two centres, this time Johny Carter to Sam Roberts, combined to put Sam into space and again as he layed off the ball to Cameron Grizzle-Johnson, everyone knew the speedster was on his way to his first try of the day. With Jake Murphy slotting both conversions and a penalty, the Chiefs went in 17-0 up and feeling confident now the second try was scored.

The second half produced some great rugby as they Chiefs dominated territory and possession. Now with the wind in their faces they dropped less and kept the pressure on Okehampton. It was in the first minute when the Okehampton player lost control of the ball gifting Cameron a clear run for his second try, there is no better way to settle any nerves than that is there. That was added to by a lovely Jake Murphy try as he split the defence right down the middle to go in unopposed. Then it was Will Topps turn as the fended off one tackle to dive over following some very good Barnstaple phases which set them up nicely for the bonus point try. Okehampton finally got on the scoreboard with 20 minutes to go as the Chiefs were reduced to 14, but just to make sure the sixth try was scored by the pack as they pushed the opposing Okehampton scrum back across their try line which Brandon Moore touched down with a minute to go, there is no better sight than watching a scrum like that. With Okehampton scoring almost immediately the game ended with a worthwhile win for the Chiefs.

There really sums it up , as I said a solid performance especially once they started playing into the wind and a win that should give the team plenty of confidence going into these next two games on the road, especially with a number of players getting back to fitness but more on that next weekend.

Xmas Presents

We have a number of goodies for you in this festive season, just the present for the passionate Barum supporter in your life get your exclusive BRFC Merchandise

BRFC ODD BALLS Towels – £18.00

BRFC ODD BALLS Adult Bobble hats – £15.00

BRFC ODD BALLS Child Bobble hats – £12.00

Adult Bundle – £30.00

Child Bundle – £25.00

available from the club on Tuesday or Thursday Evenings 5.30pm till 8.30pm (from Verity) or behind the bar on Saturdays and Sundays (when the club is open)

And that’s it from me, enjoy yourselves this weekend and lets get a big crowd down to watch the Bucc’s, it’s free entry all you need is some beer money, Next weekend we have Athletic back on home soil both on the 2nd and 9th December then the big one for the Chiefs who face Chew Valley on the 16th..