The weather gods are being nice at the mo and we had a full programme of games completed last weekend bar the Seconds who’s game was cancelled because Exmouth thirds couldn’t raise a side.

I see that the Chiefs got another thumping in the European and South African cup (why are they in it? Nonsense is what it is, I say. ) Anyway the Chiefs results does not bode well for my trip over to Paddyland with the Beer boys to watch them play Ulster. Exeter have played 3 out of their 5 league games and have amassed nil points! I might just say “I’ll eat my hat if we get a result!” We are also taking in the Bath v Munster game as well so should be a quiet weekend visiting churches and tea shops in our down time! Must say thanks to my new chum Mike for lending me his “away” Exeter Chiefs cup shirt which I will wear with pride or I might just hide it if the kicking we get is heavy .

On to last weekend…. We had a large crowd watching and I think it was the biggest we’ve seen this season. As I said the weather gods were kind as it was actually half pleasant watching. We had Alistair Harris’s KW Feeds mob down for a sponsors lunch and Justin stepped in to cook their grub. On that note… Anne our regular cook has been transferred back to Exeter Hospital and is making progress on her recover journey but it will be a while before she will be back in action at Tonsville. We are getting regular updates from Corrie and Paz on her progress and we all wish her well on her road to recovery. Back to the doo… They supped and drank us dry as usual and with a good win for the team it was a lively evening all be it with a little collateral damage to a couple of tables when table dancing began.

So… the game, We gave them a kicking at their place and as we are still unbeaten at the fortress a similar result was expected and whilst it was a 63-5 win, it was a strange one as the opposition in parts, gave a good account of themselves. We scored early with a great Crossfield kick which was brilliantly fielded and off loaded for the score and a soon added penalty made it look like we would run away with it but Dartmouth regrouped and for twenty minutes they were very much in the game and scored a try as well and I thought it was going to be tough close score line . it wasn’t, as we wore them down and then took control and by half time we’d got the bonus point and were some 35-5 points up. Second half saw us score several good tries but then with 15 to go Dartmouth got the bit between their teeth and came back strongly and were camped deep in our twenty two for a while and only resolute defence kept them out. During that time we had two players sin binned to add to the problems. We did however weathered the storm well and then broke out and finished with another good try. In the end we ended up being comfortable winners in a game where opposition didn’t give up. Guess what? No complaints about the ref this week he was actual good and fair! Big thanks to all who came to watch it all helps with keeping the fortress in tact and this result sees us slip in to a narrow second place slot just above the chasing pack. It’s going to be tight!

Sunday perfect weather for Junior rugby and as always it was a packed house at the Field of dreams and there were some good results and kids were to be seen enjoying enjoying the sport. Haven’t been sent too many details but all is going well in this section of the club.

Lots of bits an bobs to sort after a busy weekend and can’t help thinking I’ll set up a camp bed down there! Seem to be there all the blinkin time!
One funny/sad bit of news this week… after several months of waiting I went up to the club to see the council and their contractor. This was to make sure the permanent new “dog fouling” signs for the top pitch were put in the right place. I left the guy to it once positioning had been established. Apparently as he was digging he got a load of grief from a dog walker whilst he was putting the signs up and guess what? One of these “permanent” signs has been up rooted and has gone missing! I wonder who might of done that? Anyway the police are involved and the council are making a new one! The police have been informed and will be following up leads on the perpetrator. On the saga goes.

Committee meeting this week usual stuff, no money loads to do, need more helpers etc etc… so nothing unusual there.

Ok, this weekend…. the ones have a tricky trip just down to play Topsham seconds in the league and as I’ve mentioned before this club is flying at the mo and it will be a tough encounter as their visit to Honiton last year was a tough encounter. The two’s hopefully have a game against Topsham 3rd team at home.

On Sunday we have another full programme of games for our Juniors. Bridport are coming on mass and the 7’s, 8’s , 9’s,10’s, 11’s and 12’s are all at home against them fun kicks off at 10am. Away we have the 13’s 14’s and 15’s who are all playing Wiveliscombe..

That’s it for this week see you all next week when I’m back from the land of the Potato..

#UTT

Jez