Welcome back everyone to another highly charged blog as we have all four of our teams playing this week. Taking centre stage at Pottington Road is Athletic and the Buccaneers who take on their Exmouth counterparts kick off for those two matches is 2pm. The Chiefs, who are back in action after a week off, are on the road at Ivybridge, whilst the Colts travel to Sidmouth. 

Before that we have the usual announcements including our Volunteer appeal and not forgetting the Sportsman’s Dinner in March details below. 

Of course, it is that time of the year again when the six nations light up our TV screens again and after the world cup, I expect there are several nations that want to make a point against the World Cup Semi-Finalists so it should be another rip-roaring competitive round of matches throughout February and March. Now then only one Chiefs game falls on a Six nations game and that is the first match as England travel on Italy on 3rd February when Barnstaple welcomes Launceston to Pottington Road. two of the games which feature England also fall straight after the Colts home games with 4.45. So there you have it come and watch the Barnstaple teams in action then enjoy a nice pint cheering on England afterwards at the club. Below is what the Clubhouse will be showing at the time of this blog, there maybe other matches shown and I will update you as I’m told. 

Barnstaple U16’s

Barnstaple’s U16 in a very close game won by the slimmest of margins as the triumphed at Crediton 12-13. That’s three from three and another tep closer to the final.

Sunday they are back on home soil against Paignton and we here at the Mighty Barum Blog wish them every success and let’s see if we can get a fourth win

BARNSTAPLE CHIEFS

So, no Chiefs game last weekend which means this will be fairly quick post as they travel south to Ivybridge in a crucial must win bonus point game. As Chew Valley and Devonport did not get to play their game in hand last weekend there is no change in the top three with the Chiefs still three points behind the leaders. Both Brixham and Launceston closed the gap to us with wins last Saturday which means there is now just 7 points separating the top 5. 

Chew Valley and Devomport still have to face each other yet before the season finishes and there is still the possibility of a hiccup or two and so the pressure is on for the Chiefs now to maintain an almost faultless record from here on and 5 points at 9th placed Ivybridge will be just the springboard they need before welcoming Launceston to Pottington Road next weekend.

The team travelling down there has a number of changes with Ben Hilton, Adam Lloyd, Jonathon Kelly, Will Topps and Ryan Smale not available. The good news is that Ashlee Crouch, Callum Davies and Alex Hookway return to Chiefs action having recently returned from injury and Cameron Grizzle-Johnson is also back on the wing. Here then is the Chiefs team to face ivybridge

BARNSTAPLE ATHLETIC

A strange Saturday afternoon for Athletic having to play a 12 v 12 game against Old Plymothian & Mannamedian (OPM) who were unable to raise a full side, but kudos to them for coming all this way to North Devon to play and give the Tic’s a good game and workout which the home side won 50-29. Now I didn’t watch that one as I was shooting the Colts match but needless to say having some gametime was so important with Exmouth today and Torquay on the horizon.  

Getting all five points has now given Athletic a 6 point margin over both Devonport and Torquay as they head the league on 67 points, a fantastic position to be in as we come towards the final stages of the season. Torquay do have a game in hand and Athletic also have to travel there next weekend in what could possibly be the seasons defining moment for Athletic, although Torquay and Devonport still have to face each other at Devonport later in the season, still plenty of rugby to go yet but next weekend could give Athletic the biggest reward possible if they do the double over the home side there, boy these are exciting times. 

First though they do have to face Exmouth Quinns and also ensure all five points if they are to keep the pressure on the following pack and the team will be missing for the first time I think their captain Scott Incledon and so Ollie James takes over the captaincy for this weekend. Arthur Marks is back in the squad and Alex o’Donoghue also returns at scrum half. Here then is the Tics for this Saturdays game against Exmouth Quins

THe buccaneers and Colts

The Buccaneers. 

Having several weeks rest the Buccaneers are back in action against Exmouth Nomads who currently sit at the foot of the merit table. With 9 wins from 9 including 7 try bonus points the Bucc’s are flying at the top currently. There is really only one challenger and that is the Exeter Engineers who although 18 points behind are three games in hand and having only lost once, against Barnstaple, they scored try bonus points in all their wins. If that trend continues then it will be just a three point lead the Bucc’s will have when these two meet on March the 9th in Exeter, so a bonus point win in every game is now a must just to keep the pressure on. 

Colts. 

Another hard day’s graft as the Colts took on a pretty strong Crediton Colts. They really did work hard and got plenty right in this game and it was an exciting match to watch as the photos show, click the link to view https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=BarnstapleRFC&set=a.873879874534509 

It was a nail-biting game between Barnstaple and Crediton, as both teams displayed their skills and passion for rugby. Barnstaple took an early lead with a penalty kick, making it 3-0 in their favour.  

The game was evenly balanced, with both sides creating chances to score more points. However, Crediton, as they capitalized on their downhill advantage in the second half, proved to be tough opponents who just edged it in the game. The final score was 3-12 to Crediton, but it could have easily gone the other way. Barnstaple deserve a lot of credit for their performance, as they played some very good rugby and showed real grit and determination. It was a great spectacle for the fans and a testament to the spirit of the game.  

but that is the way it goes, sometimes it just isn’t your day. The lads though should be proud of their performance and it will give them the results their hard work deserves in the future. For now, it’s a trip to Sidmouth hoping that all their hard work will eventually give them an edge and that they will get that first win of 2024. 

Here then are the Bucc’s and Colts teams for this Saturday. 

Well that’s it for another weekend, next Saturday the Chiefs welcome Launceston to Pottington Road, a massive game for both sides and one not to be missed.

Athletic have a massive possibly season defining game as they travel to 3rd place Torquay and a win or even a bonus point or two will enhance their promotion chances enourmously. The Bucc’s have a much shorter journey to Bideford whilst the Colts have a well deserved rest.

Good luck allnour teams playing this weekend and I will catch up with you all next week. Also don’t forget to grab your tickets for the Sportsman’s Dinner.