What a couple of exciting weeks of rugby we have had so far and this weekend looks to ramp that excitement up even further as the Chiefs finally get the chance to play on home soil for the first time this season. Now after last weeks war and peace edition, I thought a shorter, more concise blog was the order of the daym so here it is.
This Saturday as I have just alluded to Barnstaple Chiefs are home against one of last season’s challengers for the title, Chew Valley, kick off is 2.30pm and is sponsored by our long time supporters Brewer, Harding & Rowe who we thank for all the years they have supported Barnstaple Rugby Club.
Athletic go on a roadtrip to Wiveliscombe in what will be a tough challenge for them, whilst the Buccaneers head off to Topsham and the Colts have a break.
Before all that there is still plenty of time to grab your tickets for the Oktoberfest which you can get here. OKTOBERFEST 24
Invitations are still open for the post of Club Bar and Events manager, if you believe you have the qualities and skills for this post and would like to know more click the following link Bar Manager.
There are also big opportunities for Bar Staff and cleaners at Barnstaple Rugby just email bookings.barnstaplerugby@gmail.com if you are interested.
Before all that there is still plenty of time to grab your tickets for the Oktoberfest which you can get here. OKTOBERFEST 24
Invitations are still open for the post of Club Bar and Events manager, if you believe you have the qualities and skills for this post and would like to know more click the following link Bar Manager.
There are also big opportunities for Bar Staff and cleaners at Barnstaple Rugby just email bookings.barnstaplerugby@gmail.com if you are interested.
Welcome to the boys and girls that ensure our players are at their peak every Saturday
Last week you were introduced to the volunteers of the Tuesday Crew and all they do at Barnstaple Rugby, this Week’s blog also wants to introduce you all to the backroom staff of our senior teams and the Colts, those unsung heroes who ensure that everything goes to plan on the day.. Thanks to Chair of Rugby Craig Bulley for the copy.
As the new season approaches, the team is excited to introduce the dedicated backroom staff essential for Barnstaple Rugby’s successes. Here’s a detailed look at the key personnel involved:
Senior Coaching Team
James Starkey Luke Berry Winston James Johny Carter Scott Warren
Winston James heads an all star cast in the senior coaching team, supported admirably by two highly valued assistants, Johny Carter and James Starkey, whose experience as former first-team players and team mates at the club ensures they understand and commit not only to the club’s values but also the style of rugby we all like to see at Barnstaple .
Joining them are Luke Berry, last season’s title-winning head coach for Athletic, and his assistant Scott Warren. Their inclusion brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to the team.
Also on the team is Andy Swales as Conditioning coach whose task is to ensure that the fitness levels of all the players never drops below excellentm a task he thoroughly enjoys
Support Staff
Emma Smith Verity White Jenny Beer Darrel Gill
Of course the coaches can only do so much and there is a wealth of chores and organizational tasks that are absolutely necessary before the team can even get out onto the pitch let alone tasks that have to be completed during and after the match and for this all the squads require good team managers to keep everything running smoothly. This group plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations and player welfare throughout the season.
For the Chiefs there is Verity White and Darrel Gill, whilst Jenny Beer and Emma Smith look after Athletic.
Keeping the players healthy are first aiders Sam West for the Chiefs, Donna Knight and Esme Raistrick for the Athletic, thoroughly
For the Buccaneers Simon Hill and Martin Elkins are the team managers.
Colts Setup
Lewis Joce continues to lead the Colts setup, supported this season by Chris Cook, Mikey Nott, and Jeremy Chugg. Keeping everyone in order is Team manager for the Colts is Lorraine Phillips. This refreshed team is geared up for a successful season ahead.
Playing Management Team
Of course behind every good organization there are the management team who provide overall support and leadership throughout the season and ensure that the backroom staff can accomplish their task.
This season we have two directors of rugby:: Phil Gordon Oke serves as the Senior Lead, while Jeremy Chugg is responsible for Age Grade Lead. Together with Craig Bulley, Chairman of Rugby, they form a robust leadership team.
The Playing Committee comprises James Hudson, Russel Jones, Leon Incledon, and Brett Wheaton, who provide additional support and guidance to ensure strategic alignment with club goals.
This comprehensive team structure highlights the club’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field as they prepare for an exciting new season.
Barnstaple Chiefs have kicked off their season with mixed performances, demonstrating a solid start in week one whilst stuttering last weekend at Brixham.
The match was a stark contrast to the previous encounter, with both teams managing only two tries each. It appears that Brixham outplayed and outworked the visitors as The Chiefs appeared to be second best in this encounter and were fortunate to come away with a draw
Brixham took the lead after nearly 20 mins with a converted try before a Brandon Moore try converted by Tyler brought the scores level. The home side went in at the break 17-10 up following another converted try and Tyler just before the break slotting over a penalty.
The second half was scoreless as neither side found a way through each others defences. Despite trailing 17-10, Barnstaple never gave up and a late try from Alex Penny, converted by Tyler Gordon-Oke, allowed the Chiefs to level the score at 17-17, highlighting their resilience and further indicating an upward trajectory compared to last season’s close loss in similar circumstances. So this time it was Barnstaple that thwarted Brixhams celebratory plans right at the end to come away with 2 points each, an improvement if not in performance.
Last season’s clash between Barnstaple Chiefs and Chew Valley was a nail-biting encounter that ended with the Chiefs narrowly securing a 20-19 victory. The match, pivotal in the race for the Regional 1 title, showcased the competitive spirit of both teams. Barnstaple started strong, scoring a try immediately from the kick-off. However, Chew Valley responded effectively, capitalising on a series of penalties to claw their way back into contention. On that day it was the Chiefs who finished on a high note but it did show everyone that Chew Valley meant business.
Chew Valley’s rugby team has struggled to find its rhythm this season, suffering two defeats in their opening matches. The season commenced with a narrow loss against Royal Wootton Bassett, where they fell short 19-25. This was followed by a more significant defeat at home to Launceston, who dominated the game with a score of 21-53. These early results suggest that Chew Valley is not yet operating at peak performance. However, Launceston’s strong showing, including a notable victory against Brixham, positions them as serious contenders this season.
I expect today’s game will also be a close fought affair and the Chiefs really need to find the form and determination they had at St. Austell to ensure victory.
It is three weeks before the Chiefs are back on home soil, against Ivybridge and of course that is also Barum’s inaugural Oktoberfest. Just £10 per ticket gets you a fest of German fun with music from Die Heidelberger Boys. Full details can be found on page 6.
There are a couple of changes to last week’s team with Connar Swan and Dominic Robson starting and James Fraser moving to the second row. Here then are the Chiefs to face Chew Valley
Barnstaple Athletic faced Tavistock in what was only their second match of the season in the Counties 1 Tribute Western West league. This game was particularly significant as it rekindled a rivalry from two seasons ago when both teams were competing for the Counties 2 title. It also came off the back of a great performance the previous weekend against the Pirates Amateurs where the Tic’s narrowly lost.
Compared to the previous week, Athletic made some changes to their lineup for the Tavistock match. Several key players returned to the squad, including Mitch Turner, Ryan Jago, and Ryan Lee, whilst Callum Dovell and Alex Macmillian got their first outings with the Tic’s. The result justifying those changes as Athletic ran riot over a Tavistock side that were a shadow of themselves from two seasons ago.
The stand out performance was Alex Macmillian who scored 5 tries whilst Ollie James grabbed three. With Ryan Jago, Callum Dovell, Tom Swales and Sam Carr bagging one each. This shows that Athletic can score tries from any quarter of the pitch and by any player and they played some very good entertaining free flowing rugby that just blew away their opponents, scoring 12 tries in the process. Tom Swales also added 7 conversions in a thumping 74-7 win.
This weekend they have a very tough challenge as the Tic’s embark on their first road trip of the season to Wiveliscombe, who have had big wins against Penryn and away to Pirates Amateurs.
All Athletic need is to believe in themselves, this will be a tough test of where they are currently and if they continue to believe in themselves they can and will do great things on the pitch.
The team travelling to Wiveliscombe has a couple of changes with the return of the experienced Troy Willis and also Dylan Kingdon comes in at the Back Row. Here then is your Athletics squad for this Saturday.
The Buccaneers
Well what can you say about the Bucc’s, they got off to another flyer last Saturday beating Torrington 53-0 and begin the season with their first shut out, remember they had eight of them last season. Today they travel to Topsham to face their 3rdXV hoping to reinforce the message of last weekend..
The Colts
It’s been a case of mixed fortunes in their opening two matches so far for the Colts who a fortnight ago won at Topsham 3-26, only to have the reverse fortune as they travelled to Devonport, always a very good solid Colts team, to lose 27-7. They get a rest this weekend to examine where they have done well and what points need addressing, but this is a good start by the Colts who next weekend welcome the very good Ivybridge Colts in what will be another ferocious examination.
Well that’s me done for another week, see not to long a read this time around was it? Next weekend the Chiefs have a massive game as they visit Exmouth as do the Buccs for thier game against the Nomads. Athletic are at home to St Ives (sw) as are the Colts who host Ivybridge .
Good luck to all our teams playing today and a hatrick of wins would be absolutely awesome. Let’s get a big crowd down at Pottington Road for the Chiefs and really ramp up the volume. Catch up next weekend.
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