THIS week Alex Scheepers cast his memory back to his time at the Club, now living and working in Sweden, Alex certainly made his mark as a scrum half at Crediton RFC.

Alex said: “There are several games that spring to mind although I lack the detailed memory.

“However, there was a game against Withycombe in 2001, they were at the top of the league and we were in second place.

“I think we had beaten them the previous week as the game had been rearranged from earlier in the season. It was a narrow win and we travelled to their ground knowing that defeat would not hit us too badly as we had three games in hand over them and not far behind.

“It was bitterly cold and we slugged out a 0-0 draw, a very rare occurrence in modern rugby and I had the feeling that neither side really wanted to be there and were so thankful to get off the pitch and into the bar!”

Of course that was the promotion season of which much has already been written.

Another memory recalled by Alex came the following season, our second in SW2W.

We had certainly struggled in this league the previous season although in fairness, whilst we finished fourth from bottom, we were comfortably clear of relegation, ahead of Torquay, Camborne and Cheltenham North. Having retained our place, we generally felt that we had learned much during that season which would stand us in good stead for the next.

Unfortunately, we had been flirting with the relegation positions for most of the season and our trip to league leaders St. Mary’s Old Boys on February 1, 2003 was always going to be difficult and so it proved!

A hard enough place to go with a full strength side but with Martin Ash and Jay out injured, the task would be that much harder.

Alex recalled: “With Jay out injured, I was captain for the day and to be honest we were totally outgunned, not helped by further injuries during the game which ended with Peter Cann playing in the centre.

“We lost heavily (3-57) and they were undoubtedly a really good side and won the league.

“Despite that result and a very poor start to the season, we actually improved our position, finishing fifth from bottom.”

Alex also recalled a trip to Jersey, “in the first game, we opened the scoring with a try under the posts for Shane Bayley who also converted it. I remember my mind wandering to thoughts of what beer would be on offer after the game!

“The problem is that such thoughts destroy concentration and we lost 7-96.” He went on: “I had great times at Crediton and made some really good friends with whom I still keep in touch.”

For the record, Alex played 119 games between 1998 and 2003, 111 in the First XV and eight in the Quins. He scored 56 tries which is fractionally under a try every other game, a remarkable record.

Steve Geatches.

The theme of overall appearances for the Club continues with Steve Geatches whose 661 appearances takes him to fifth place on the list.

Steve was very much a utility forward having played in the First XV at hooker and in the back row and played 106 times in the First XV.

He was yet another player who always seemed reluctant to hang up his boots and he kept going from 1978-79 season through to 2009-10. He played 251 games in the Quins, 272 in the Third XV and 32 in the Colts. With 83 tries under his belt he has a total of 383 points which on today’s scoring would equate to 415.

Miles Haggar.

One game behind Steve, is Miles Haggar on 660 appearances including 370 in the First XV. Miles was another of the band of formidable props who represented the Club, not just as a player but he also coached the juniors and served on the committee for a number of years.

Miles began his playing career in 1968-69 and was quickly an established First team player, he finally retired in 1995 and, in addition to the First XV appearances, he played 178 games in the Quins and 112 in the Third XV. Miles scored a total of 42 tries for 167 points or 210 on current scoring.

The next two places are filled by Viv Steer (651) and Andy Cole (649) both of whom are members of the First XV 500 Club and have featured in previous articles.

Andy Dafters.

In ninth place is Andy Dafters with a total of 579 appearances in total, 232 of which have been in the First XV.

“Daffy” started his rugby career as a young Colt during Centenary season in 1978-79 and went on to play 85 games in the Colts and remarkably is still going strong.

He did “retire” in 2000 but resurrected his career in 2013 to help the Third XV. He has been an inspiration to many of the Third XV players with his boundless enthusiasm, always encouraging younger players.

Aside from his appearances in the Firsts, “Daffy” has played 135 games in the Seconds and 127 in the Thirds. From a regular fly-half in the Firsts XV, Daffy has gradually moved to the back row in the Thirds and he will undoubtedly have been one of the many players who have been disappointed to miss out on the entire season during Covid.

“Daffy” has scored a total of 69 Tries, 137 conversion, 140 penalties and 22 drop goals for a total of 1,069 points (1,105 on current scoring).

Rodney Matthews.

Completing the top 10 is Rodney Matthews, whose playing career spanned 33 seasons during which time he wore the Club shirt for 563 games, 48 in the First XV, 236 in the Seconds and 279 in the Thirds.

Yet another member of the front row union who went into coaching juniors once his own playing days had come to an end.

“Rooney” was always something of a comedian with a real sense of humour and it was no surprise that he became a leading light in the hugely successful Club pantomimes.

I have to say he provided me with an abiding memory when, after playing a game at Channings Wood Prison, Rooney’s opposite number came up to him and said “thanks for coming to play us” to which Rooney replied “thanks for being here”! It did cause considerable laughter all round.

That seems an appropriate place to stop for this week, there are a further 10 players who have exceeded 500 games and so will continue in another “Courier”.

We are beginning to feel a bit more positive about a return to rugby and whilst we may not see any competitive games for what remains of this season, there is hope that 2021-22 might start on time in September.

As things stand at the moment, from March 29 contact training will be permitted (with the exception of scrum and maul), with various versions of Touch and Tag rugby permitted against other Clubs.

From April 26 contact training will be permitted (with the exception of scrum and maul), adult and age grade rugby with adapted laws (no scrum or maul) will be allowed against other Clubs.

When Step 3 of the Government Road Map has been reached (Stage E1) then full contact training will be permitted including scrum and maul.

Two weeks after Stage E1, full contact matches will be allowed with some off-field restrictions likely to apply. Not before Step 4 of the Government Road Map (and could be later), all restrictions could be lifted.

Fingers crossed that nothing happens to derail the progress.

Paul Harris