Evenin all and Woz on?
Well…. Another shambles in Politics this week and our dear Politicians wonder why no one is interested any more. If you ask them why they got into it in the first place’ it’s usually a simple answer which is, “to help make things better for people they serve”…. Where does that simple task go so wrong?

That’ll do on that subject! So, as usual back to safe ground and rugby… The season is over which means everyone can have a rest and do lots of outdoor things.
Big thanks to Chris our chair for doing the Woz on last week as I swanned off again! I’m sorry about all the confusion with the venue for the cup game last weekend and I see several of you still thought it was at Topsham. I must say it was an 11th hour change, not of our doing and it was then back at Sarries ground which was a tad annoying given all the messaging etc.

So… the Devon Junior cup final. Sarries v Honiton. Did you know this cup has been going since 1888 so a lot of history in it and just to remind you, our clubs name has been on it a record 8 times which is pretty impressive. You might actually wonder why the record is so low but you need to know, you have to be in a certain league and below to be able to enter it and we and several other clubs have often been above the threshold and therefore not eligible in some seasons.
Now… still scene setting, we were also playing for the Paddy Thompson trophy which we do every time we play them. This was the third time this season we’ve done battle over it. They won it back in October we got it back in February. So this clash was another as we say… “double header”.
A large crowd graced the Exeter Exhibition fields and I must say there were a lot of Tonites there which was great to see. Special mention must go to our super fan John Collin who has seen everyone of the Tons games this season, obviously closely followed by several others who all seem to enjoy going where ever the Ton play. As I say, big crowd, sun out, game on.
It was pretty “even stevens” for the first 15 minutes as both sides sussed each other out and it was Sarries who scored first with a kicked penalty. We bounced back sharpish with a great try which did have an element of a “howler” from their covering defence. (I will, say lots of this info is on some video clips which has been viewed many a time. Thanks to Joe and Jules for all their hard work to bring live streams to you this season, it really does keep us on the map in these social meja days.) Back came Sarries with another penalty so it really was, nip n tuck. However some astute substitutions saw us change gear and our power seemed to take over from this point. We reached half time 6-21 up and looked to be cruising.
Second half… Sarries had other ideas and were quick out of the blocks with a well worked try which made it 11-21 and we were starting to look over our shoulders but nah!... we just turned the screw and really put them under the cosh and scored a couple more great tries. They did get one of their own back but their heads dropped and we ran in two more to put the nail in the coffin and we ran out comfortable winner by 18 points to 44.
Key to the success was our line out which was 100% successful with some immaculate darts and of course the lifting and catching looked top class. We also shunted them about in the pack once we got on top and boy, we defended well so a great performance all round and it was fitting way to end the season and I’d say if we can keep this lot together next year is looking good especially with a couple of other additions promised to the squad. Big thanks to Sarries who played their part in an entertaining game and they were good hosts as well.
The cup ceremony was good and lots stayed to see Jonny House our skipper raise it to a loud cheer. Apparently the cup is worth a bob or two as well and I was seen rounding up the usual suspects before the boys took it with themselves into town! We didn’t want a “Calcutta cup” incident and the consequential repair bill. It was rumoured at one stage during the evening to be on the shelf in the Kabab house but it was also seen at the club on Sunday, so… phew!

So that’s that… now one thing, for all the fans of the Ton you can have a vote for you’re the supporters “player of the season”.
If you drop me a text with your nomination I’ll give it to Churchie so he can announce it as the dinner and dance on the 12th. To vote text my number it’s 07969980963. Do say who you are though.

On to Sunday, the junior Presentation day… lovely sunny day which bought out a big crowd and it was a nice community feel as we celebrated our Junior rugby section. Chris Gould and Charlie Wright were on hand to give out trophies and do speeches.
Lest we forget, there must always be a very big thanks to all the tireless volunteers who do the coaching, managing, feeding, admin and cleaning and all of this makes it work well. There were lots of presentations for outstanding performances in each age group and I’m sure if you look, you’ll find info on the faceache pages of who won what.
I will though mention the coveted Malcolm Salter trophy which goes to a youngster who it is felt, goes beyond just playing, doing lots to encourage to others, helping out and basically be a good egg, i.e. it’s the “Junior clubman of the year” award… this year it went to Owen Welsh so a big congrats to him.
I will also mention Simon Lancaster and Louise Beer who have been running a team at Honiton since under 7’s and have taken a team through to under 16’s which is amazing dedication. We are all hoping we can get a Colts side out next year which will be the first in a long time.
I will also mention James Vince our long suffering Junior Fixtures sec who is also stepping down … hard to fill them boots .

So… rugby over and in come the diggers, as we start “round two” of the drainage projects. This time it’s for the for the top pitch … and I also see the trees next to the club are being addressed as well… it’s all go! We had a committee meeting last night and a programme of summer repair works was drawn up… if you like to help in any way let me know. “many hands make light work”.

Dinner n Dance is on the 12th June in Ottery, ask Fin for details if you still want to come.

The Senior tour is on the 29th May .. unfortunately I think I volunteered to drive them to the airport which was stupid. They’re off to Edinburgh for a couple of days. There won’t be a report on this as “what goes on tour stays on tour.”

Think that will do for this week… I’ll get something out next week so you can see the jobs we need to do and we’re also looking to set up a fund raising committee so we can get some match funding to build our junior changing rooms if you’re interested in helping we’ll welcome your help how small. Onwards and upwards

#UTT

Yours
Jez