THE new rugby season is just a matter of days away with the opening league game for Crediton at home against Torquay on September 2. Training has been under way since the end of June and the players have responded in good numbers at all sessions.

Exeter Chiefs players Sam Hill and Ali Hepburn have continued where they left off last season with some excellent and enjoyable coaching whilst Chris Gibson has looked after the fitness side of things with some entertaining and innovative routines which have been a pleasure to watch!

The opening trial games involve First and Second Fifteen games at home against Saltash on August 19 which should provide a stern test as we approach the first game.

On the playing front, we have lost threequarter Matt Dayment who has transferred to Exmouth and we wish him well with his new club, the travelling from his home in East Devon was always a problem for him especially twice a week for training and that was his main reason for moving.

On the plus side, new faces at the Club will be threequarters’ Aidan Mason (brother of First team full-back Gareth) and Andrew Smerdon both formerly with Tavistock but have moved into the area, Josh O’Neill another former Tavistock player and prop Jamie Charlton from Cullompton.

In addition, a number of last year’s Colts have joined the senior ranks, Josh Davey, Josh Goldman and Tommy Jermyn all now registered for league rugby with a few more to follow.

After a couple of seasons at Taunton, Gav Down has re-signed for us and we also welcome back John Brimacombe after a few years away in the Forces.

The league this season should be fairly evenly balanced and with Exeter University finally getting promoted, we will all be battling for the two promotion places instead of the runners-up spot.

It is expected that St Ives will do well, having recruited several players from local higher placed neighbours Camborne and Redruth. Devonport and Truro will also be strong sides this season having finished third and fourth respectively last year. If they can keep hold of their players from last season then St Austell could well be a dark horse in the promotion race.

New sides into our league include Falmouth and Paignton, promoted from Cornwall and Devon League, Kingsbridge who surprisingly were relegated last season after one year in South West One and Chard who will be very much an unknown quantity as we have never played them at First Fifteen level.

There will, of course, be plenty of local interest with Tiverton, Torquay and Sidmouth still in the league.

It is fair to say that every side in the league will be capable of beating each other and it is doubtful that anyone is going to run away with the league and neither is any side likely to be cast adrift at the bottom.

There will be no easy games and whilst we may have what may be considered a difficult start, it really is no more difficult than all the other sides in the league.

Opening with Torquay at home on September 2, we follow that with a trip to Truro, the visit of Burnham and a journey to Chard.

Two successive home games against Kingsbridge and Devonport make up the opening six games of the season.

‘QUINS

The ‘Quins have a full fixture list and some tough Merit Table games starting at Brixham on the opening Saturday of the season. Of course, we are quite used to playing the Second Fifteen’s of higher placed clubs and generally have competed very well.

The only difference this year will be games against Teignmouth Seconds who were promoted and replace Sidmouth whilst Exmouth Seconds have pulled out of the Devon Merit Table altogether.

HORNETS

The Third Fifteen also have a full fixture list and start with a trip to Torquay to play their Seconds and I am sure we will look forward to a good season in Devon Merit Table Two.

COLTS

The Colts also start with an away trip at Sidmouth, albeit a friendly, before their league programme starts with a home game against Exmouth.

An interesting season ahead for all the teams so come along and support - at last Saturday afternoons will have some meaning!

Finally, a reminder that membership subscriptions are now due and for those members with access to email, you should by now have received an email from our Membership Secretary, Bev Coupe. Those members without email should have received a letter.

If you have not received any information then please contact Bev on 01363 774056 or email: [email protected] .

Paul Harris