THIS week, we turn to Ben Wonnacott for a couple of favoured memories and, being one of the younger but nonetheless more experienced players, he does not have to travel too far back in time.

After completing his time in the Colts, in 2012, Ben became firmly established in the First XV almost immediately with an ability to play anywhere in the back row and, on occasions when it became necessary, would often fill in at centre, he is a fearless tackler as many an opponent has found and he certainly has an eye for the try line as he is often in support of the ball carrier, turning up in the right place at the right time.

Ben recalled: “My first season in the First XV was not a particularly successful one in Cornwall and Devon League as we battled it out in the relegation zone for much of the season.

"A trip to Newquay to play fellow relegation candidates ended in a 9-13 defeat which did not help the cause and left us third from bottom.

"As was normal on the journey home, the refreshment stop was made at the Kings Arms at Five Lanes, just outside Launceston.

“This was a favoured stopping off point for many of the teams in Devon as they returned from the land of pasties and incorrectly decorated scones.

“On this particular occasion, our friends from Tiverton also arrived although they were in somewhat better mood having won at Pirates Amateurs and securing their position in the top four.

“Well of course the banter was, as usual, taken in good spirit and then the Tivvy boys did us a huge favour as they began chanting ‘Creddy’s going down, they’re going down’ which, whilst not taking too much notice of it, we did store it as a motivating force for later in the season when we would meet them at home.

“The weeks passed and a period of mixed fortunes had not improved our position, in fact if anything it had worsened as we reached April 6 and the home game with Tivvy.

“We had just come off a 36-5 drubbing at league leaders Teignmouth whilst Tiverton had previously defeated Exeter Athletic 68-7 and were lying comfortably in third place and arrived full of confidence.”

Ben continued: “They may have forgotten their sing-song three months earlier but we certainly had not and if we were ever up for a game, this was it.

"A win was imperative for us as games were running out and we were only just a few points above the relegation spots.

"The opening quarter of the game gave no indication of what was to come, Tiverton had applied all the pressure but such was their confidence, they declined kicks at goal on four occasions and instead of being ahead 12-0 they suddenly found themselves 14 points down after we scored two quick tries, Mark Nott grabbed one from a pushover try and Tom Foan intercepted and went 70 metres for the second.

"Tivvy then more or less caved in and we ended the game as winners 43-0, it was so pleasing to actually prevent them from scoring.

"We ended the season fourth from bottom and clear of relegation and of course our neighbours were forced to eat their words!”

MEMORABLE

Another memorable moment was a trip to Kingsbridge in February 2019 and, as Ben said: “Kingsbridge away always seemed to fall on half-term when the skiers in the club preferred the slopes of the Alps to that of the pitch at Kingsbridge.

"As a consequence, we generally got beaten up down there, seldom scoring a try let alone getting a bonus point!

"However, it had been a good season for us and we were still in with a shout of promotion but nonetheless we had a few players missing, Josh Kenshole and Matt Goodman stepped up for their First XV debuts and both played significant roles in the 29-25 victory.

"Playing up their various slopes in the first-half we were 12-0 up in as many minutes, tries from Jason Luff and Ed Brady plus an Ollie Avery-Wright conversion. By half-time though we were pegged back to 15-all.

"With the advantage of the slopes in the second half, another Brady try and one from me, both converted by O. A-W and we were comfortably ahead and a bonus point in the bag. Kingsbridge battled back towards the end but we held out for a very satisfying and somewhat rare victory.”

Ben continued: “The other highlight was seeing Notty crash over for the winning try in what seemed like the 100th minute of the game at Torquay back in April 2018 with the losers more or less guaranteed to be relegated and the winners live to fight another season in Western Counties.

"We had led 15-12 at the interval, Josh Lee with two tries and brother Mark a conversion and a penalty.

"However, with time running out and the clock going into the red, we were 15-19 down.

"We were camped on the Torquay line and they conceded a number of penalties before we eventually forced a pushover try to lead by a point.

"Mark landed the conversion from wide out and it was game over. Although we narrowly missed relegation, it was a result that served as the catalyst for our promotion the following season when we won the play off away at Midsomer Norton, a real testament not only to the ability and work ethic of that squad but also the mentality and togetherness.

"As for disappointments, well I really never enjoyed switching to centre having started in the back row!!

"Although more seriously, the last minute loss at home against two leagues higher Ivybridge in the Devon Intermediate Cup Final in April 2013 was really disappointing.

"Ivybridge had dominated territory and possession for much of the game but we always looked threatening with the ball in-hand whilst the defence was outstanding.

"Notty was again on the scoresheet with his second try coming close to the end whilst we were down to 14 players.

"The conversion gave us a 27-26 lead with only minutes remaining. Unfortunately, it was not to be as we strayed offside at a ruck on our ‘22’ and they landed the penalty for a 29-27 win.

"Hugely disappointing when we knew we had matched them on every front but nonetheless it had been a really good game."

Although we have lost an entire season, Ben still has time to make many more memories on which he can reflect in years to come.

For the record, Ben has played 195 games for the Club, 166 in the First XV and has scored 45 tries with a couple of conversions and penalties for a total of 235 points. Ben was also Club Captain in the 2015-16 season.

IN THE CLUB 500

The final positions in our 500 Club start off with Alan Westcott who joined the Club in 1989 and proved a very hard tackling back row forward who, had he been born in Japan would undoubtedly have fallen into the Kamikaze mould as he was yet another who tackled without fear.

Alan managed 521 games before bringing down the curtain of his playing career in 2016.

He played 332 games in the First XV, 162 in the Seconds and 27 in the Thirds. He amassed a total of 89 tries for 429 points, current scoring would be 445 points.

Two games behind Westcott is Ian Gillard on 519 and of course Ian’s record was produced a few weeks ago, suffice to say he lies in overall second place in the scoring charts with 2,138 which would work out at 2,171 on current scoring.

Shaun Davey is just five games behind Ian on 514 and is in 18th place on the illustrious list. Beginning in 1987 in the Colts, Shaun proved a reliable and versatile threequarter, comfortable at fly-half, fullback or in the centre.

He finally hung up his boots in 2007 having played 156 games in the First XV, 303 in the Seconds, 23 in the Thirds and 32 in the Colts.

Shaun was a very competent place kicker and managed a total of 917 points from 76 tries, 145 Conversions, 80 penalties and 13 drop goals, that would equate to 949 points on current scoring. Shaun took on the role of First team manager in 2008-09.

Neville Phillips is next on the list with 511 games for the Club beginning in 1981-82 season in the Colts.

Neville has covered most positions in the forwards and occasionally in the backs, another who would simply play anywhere in order to enjoy a game of rugby, he was a strong running forward, always difficult to tackle and he certainly knew where the try line was.

Neville completed 66 games in the First XV, 221 in the Seconds, 180 in the Thirds and 44 in the Colts. He scored 123 tries for 561 points, on current scoring would equate to 615.

Completing the 500 Club is Eddie Yeandle on 501 beginning in 1991-92 in the Colts and going on to play 379 games in the First XV.

He captained the Club in 2005-06 and 06-07. Eddie was a very accomplished second row forward who was an outstanding lineout jumper.

He finally hung up his boots in 2018 although kept them pretty well dusted off as he went straight into coaching the juniors and Colts. Eddie scored 57 tries for a total of 285 points.

In total, 20 players have reached the 500 milestone although it is going to be extremely difficult for the current players to reach that number.

Up to the 1990’s, the teams would tend to play as many as 40-45 games per season, that is no longer the case as we generally manage between 25-30 games per season.

Add to that we have just lost an entire season which has made that target even more difficult to reach but who knows, the longevity of some players could see them there at some time in the future.

Paul Harris