Good evening folks and welcome to what will be the final Mighty Barum Blog of the 2024/25 season. Before we get started though we do have some sad news.

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of Rodney Swales, who died last night at the age of 86 after a short illness.

Rod was born and bred in Barnstaple and lived all his life in Barum, apart from serving 2 years of National Service in Germany. He was a member of Barnstaple Rugby Club all his life and was proud to play for the club he dearly loved. After he finished playing, he helped as a volunteer serving behind the bar like members did and continue to do to keep the club ticking along.

Rods two sons inherited his love for the game with Sean and Andrew both playing all their careers for the club and since retiring, Sean has served as Club Treasurer and Andrew is in his 20th year coaching.

What Rod was most proud of, was all his 6 Grandchildren, with all 3 boys, Will, Ross, and Tom being the third generation of Swalers representing the club at various levels. He would often speak about the importance utilising local talent and proof is in the pudding in today’s 1st team squad with 15 Barnstaple boys all coming through the impressive Barnstaple Rugby Junior Section.

He was so proud that the Barnstaple Rugby Club is in such a good place on and off the field.

Sylvia and all the family would like to thank you all for your love and support.

Rodney’s funeral will be held at the Crematorium on Thursday, 17th April at 1:30pm. All are welcome to attend. In honour of Rodney, the family has requested that attendees wear their club tie, as he would have been deeply touched by this gesture.

Barnstaple Rugby Football Club extend their heartfelt condolences to Rodney’s family and friends during this difficult time. We will be holding a minutes applause in memory of Rodney, may he rest in peace.

A season recap

So the season boils down to this weekend for our boys and what a weekend it is going to be. Now this final blog post couldn’t come at a better moment as I am absolutely knackered. What an intense and highly successful season it has been for all our teams and keeping up to date with it all has me exhausted and I can’t wait to get some me time back. Seriously though it has been a pleasure watching and reporting on the comings and goings of our four teams and with this Saturday’s final matches on the horizon now is as good a time as any to take a recapas to where our teams stand as the season draws to a close.

For The Chiefs, The Stakes Could Not Be Higher

After months of fierce competition, the season all comes down to this the final game against 4th placed St. Austell. It’s been a game of cat and mouse between Barnstaple and Brixham throughout the season and with just two points separating them as we reach the final hurdle. For the Chiefs, the mission is clear: win today, and promotion to the national leagues is theirs!

But St. Austell will have other ideas. They arrive with an impressive record this season, 12 victories, including a double over Launceston and currently sit 4th in the table, just three points ahead of their Cornish rivals. You can be sure they’ll be fighting tooth and nail to secure that position and finish their season on a high.

A special thanks to our sponsors for this match, M&E Alarms

Today’s match is proudly sponsored by M&E Alarms, a company that has shown tremendous commitment to Barnstaple Rugby and the wider grassroots sports community. Their unwavering support plays a vital role in helping our club thrive, both on and off the pitch. Thank you, M&E Alarms, for standing with us—we couldn’t do it without you!

Barnstaple Athletic: A Season to Be Proud Of!

Barnstaple Athletics incredible 10-game unbeaten run came to an end a fortnight ago in a thrilling clash against Penryn, narrowly losing 29-31 in a match full of drama. Despite a strong start, including a Harvey Rostock hat-trick, Penryn fought back to snatch the win.

But what a season it’s been! Securing 3rd place in their first Tier 7 campaign, the lads have played some outstanding rugby with rock-solid defence. And the success isn’t over yet—last weekend, they beat Brixham Crusaders 22-36 to advance to the Devon 2nd XV Cup Semi-Final on April 12th at Cullompton

This Saturday they’re back on the road one last time to take on Pirates Amateurs, the team that handed them their first defeat back in September. With Pirates battling for promotion, can Athletic spoil the party and end the season with a statement win?

Buccaneers: Title Race Goes Down to the Wire!

So close! The Buccaneers were seconds away from clinching the Devon Merit Table NE last Saturday, leading 33-31 against a tough Tiverton III side—until a heart-breaking last-play try snatched victory away, ending 33-38. Now, it’s all on the line! The Buccs and Crediton are level on points, with Barnstaple just ahead on points difference. Win their final match, and the title could still be theirs! Can the Buccaneers finish their season in style and claim the silverware they deserve?

Colts Deliver a Thriller – Home Semi-Final Secured!

What a rollercoaster of a match! Our Barnstaple Colts went toe-to-toe with 2nd-place Newton Abbot for a coveted home semi-final spot in the Devon Colts Cup – and boy, did they deliver! The Colts came out flying, playing some electric rugby to storm into a commanding lead by halftime with some beautifully worked tries. True to Barnstaple tradition, they kept us on the edge of our seats as Newton Abbot fought back hard in the second half, closing the gap to just a few points. But this Colts side has serious grit! They dug deep, shifted gears in the final 15 minutes, and powered home to seal a HUGE win 41-24

Next Up: A home semi-final at Pottington Road  April 12th against Crediton or Sidmouth – let’s pack the stands and roar them on.

Cast Your Vote: Supporters Player of the Season 2024/25!

The season may be over, but the celebrations aren’t! Now is your chance to have your say and crown the Supporters Player of the Season!

From thunderous tackles to dazzling tries, from relentless work rate to match-winning moments—our squad has given everything this campaign. Now, we want YOU, the incredible Chiefs supporters, to decide who deserves this prestigious honour.

How Voting Works:

• Voting opens Saturday from 12pm and will run until half time
• Simply scan the QR code or click the link below to vote
• Supporters Player of the Season
  
• One vote per person – make it count!

Why Your Vote Matters

This award isn’t just about skill—it’s about heart, leadership, and the unwavering spirit of a Chief. Whether it’s a seasoned campaigner or a breakout star, your vote recognizes the player who has inspired you most this season.

Spread the Word!

Tag your fellow fans, debate your picks, and let’s make this a true celebration of our squad’s efforts. The winner will be announced after the final whistle, so stay tuned!

Ready to vote?  Supporters Player of the season

Final Thoughts

Well, that’s it for this week and the season, folks! I’ll be back for the following season but for now I’m taking a well earned rest.

But don’t worry—this isn’t the end! I’ll still be providing updates as the Chiefs continue their journey through the Papa Johns Community Cup, with hopes high that they’ll make it all the way to Twickenham. There’s also plenty more cup action to look forward to, including Athletic’s defense of the Devon 2nd XV Cup, the Buccaneers’ quest to retain the Dave Butt Cup, and the Colts’ exciting opportunity to lift the Devon Colts Cup. The season may be winding down, but the drama is far from over!

Finally, wherever you’re watching your rugby this weekend, enjoy the action, stay loud, and keep supporting the mighty Barum!