For me it’s been an interesting week…. sat at home on a Tuesday night last week and saw that in the next week, the weather was going to be a shite, whilst in Spain it was “scorchio” so booked a “cheap as chips” fights from Exeter which as you know is very easy get to. Then found a last minute even cheaper Airbnb accommodation and off we went on Wednesday. Things I’ll do to get out of a committee meeting! Anyway the accommodation was a bit rough round the edges but we only needed a bed and a shower and then spent the rest of the time out eating, drinking and generally mooching about in what was wall to wall sun shine. Also passed a mile stone whilst away as I got to the magical 66 ( I will say…not without a bit of a blip a few years back) but got there… This now means I’m an official Pensioner and am now one of those annoying people being kept by the state… I’ve also just ordered my bus pass as well…. Living the dream!

Anyway got back safely only to be greeted by lashing down rain and a temperature that was a mere 18 degrees colder. Still mustn’t grumble as someone on our flight was being greeted by 5 police men at passport control.

So…. whilst away, I obviously couldn’t help but check on things happening at Tonsville and on Saturday I was somewhat surprised to see we’d given Tavistock a fair old walloping in the game. They were relegated last season back in to our division having had a torrid one year flirt in the league above. If there’s ever a lesson in this , it’s that promotion must come from a position of strength in depth if you are ever going to be able to sustain things in leagues above.
I’ve asked several about the game and watched the videos and it’s clear it was a bit of a one sided game. Great to see some of the juniors doing the guard of honour at the start of the game which all adds to the atmosphere.
We played up the slope in the first half and were comfortably ahead at the break leading by 31-8 and then in the second half we blew them away. The full rout was avoided because of an unfortunate rugby incident that did bring the game to an abrupt halt in the 64th minute. One of the opposition players received a serious injury after a tackle which no one likes to see. The score was 68-8 by that stage and from all accounts it would have been much more had we continued to play the last 16 minutes. The result stands and means more points in the bag as we recover from a difficult start to the season….
Now as I said, no one wants to see injuries in the sport and unfortunately it was serious as the chap broke his leg. The ambulance was called and he was obviously in a lot of pain . We’ve contact the club since to check on his progress and the player has broken his ankle and he has actually been in hospital for a few days. We obviously wish him well and hope he has a speedy recovery.

By all accounts this did put a bit of a dampener on the day for sure but it seems like Paul Coates and his band of merry revellers had a good sponsors lunch. Big thanks to Justin for sorting out the revellers lunch and a big hand to all who did the serving, cleaning, tidying and bar work for the day….I know it’s a lot of work as I can usually vouch for. Karaoke was done and there are several lively videos of performers after the game.

So… I hear you ask, did we play our second team game on Friday night? Yes is the answer and in a very close game which we just came off second best in, losing by 25-21…. Which was no mean effort given we were well adrift at half time. Big hand to the boys for making this Friday night game and well done to Churchie and Guilbert who did a fair old stint each, at prop. From all accounts both had problems with movement of neck the next day.

Now …. I just thought I’d mention a message I got from our very own Harry Wright who is out in Australia playing a good standard of rugby. He messaged me to say that at one of his games recently, in the bar afterwards he got a tap on the shoulder form someone who he was due to play against… unfortunately this “someone” was out injured with a broken collar bone but it was none other than Lockie Robinson who was one of the duo of Brock and Lockie who spent a gap year season playing for us a few years back. Never ceases to amaze me how Tonites get all over the world. I remember the boys well as I often had to put them up when they couldn’t get back out to Southliegh, and who can forget Lockie being sick in my “wig “box or crashing the banger I loaned him! Good times.

So on to Sunday…. Very wet Stuart says….but the bottom pitches drainage system meant it was fine to play on. It was a bit of a local derby as we played several of the Bridport sides. Stuart also knows a lot of them from farming contacts, he says they are a decent bunch. The 7 and 8’s kicked off early and both age groups have very decent numbers of both boys and girls. The 9’s are a strong out fit and played very well as they get to grips with this new tackling malarky.
Stuart reffed the 10’s who were in an even contest which we came out on top. Our 11’s are a powerful unit and they blitzed the opposition comfortably. The 12’s at Crediton put to bed the last two weeks results and both Coaches of Baily and Footie were pretty chuffed with the days work. The 13’s opposition couldn’t raise a side so it was just training for them. The 14’s at Bridport went down by 22-7 but their were lost of positives as the last time they met the opposition they lost by 12 tries to nil. The 15’s welcomed Dorchester who are a strong outfit, we were up at half time but fell away a bit in the second half and we just lost in what was a close game. The coaches were pretty happy and it did feel like a win given the enormous size of some of the opposition, several of which had to stoop at the food hatch in the club after the games.
The 16’s were away at Yeovil and given this is another clubs with good pedigree we seemed to lack a bit of believe and a bit of inner confidence in ourselves. I say to them get your **s on your shoulders and get on with it… Now you’d be forgiven for thinking they lost! They didn’t and won a close game by 24-15. As I say “believe in yourself lads, being confident is a big part of the battle when achieving things”
Big hand to Henry Norris and his crew who served up 300+meals! That’s impressive .Also thanks to Carla Wallace and her helpers, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Now this weekend it’s a week off for the seniors and the next came is a home game against Salcombe in the Devon cup.
For the juniors it’s mostly against Tivy. 7’s 11’s and 13’s are away and the 8’s 10’s and 12’s are at home. The 9’s have different home opposition against Crediton, the 14’s are down in Plymouth at OPO’s. The 15’s have a cup game against Athletic in the cup and the 16’s play Castle Cary at home… busy Sunday again, me thinks.

That’s it for this week …

#UTT

Jez