Evenin all… nearly at the end of another season of Woz on’s …so I’ll crack on and try to be brief this week which I’m sure you’ll all be pleased to hear.

Straight into rugby and last weekend’s trip up to North Devon to take on Bideford who before the game trailed us by 3 points. We had a mini bus for the players who were making a social of the day and we also had a supporters bus. We met at mid-day… with some journey juice and a pasty or two… there was some pleasant discussions on the way up and because we were on a bus you could see over some of the Devon hedges and of course some of our farming fraternity then enjoyed educating the rest of us about what was growing and how it’s all varmed (as they say in Debon).
When we arrived of course we had to go through a gate which instantly fills you with envy, as everyone gets collared for a fiver. There was lots there they had a sponsors lunch as well. We were welcomed to their lounge bar and even got a round of sandwiches which was a nice touch and I must say they were really good hosts… it was warm sunny and it was packed and there was again just a little envy as to their set up which was impressive.

So to the game…. of course it was always going to be tight given the 2nd v 3rd rankings and both sides gave no quarter. We got the first score but the home side quickly bounced back to level things. We got the next but Bideford finished the half strongly with a brace and it was 19-14 at the break.
It was then nip n tuck for a while but Bideford beat a few tackles out wide to dot down and were 26-14 up and they were very much in the driving seat. Honiton kept in touch with a well struck penalty and then the Ton gained momentum and started to get on top, especially at scrum time. In the last ten we scored again and were now 26-24 down, we pressed and pressed and it was nerve racking for all watching. We had two difficult penalty chances to win it at the death but unfortunate both fell just short and we ran out of time… a very close game and our opponents did enough to win in what was a close tough encounter. Probably not our best performance but the opposition were good so maybe that accounts for it. Obviously we were all very disappointed but we can’t grumble as we came third by just a single point.
One note, rugby in May isn’t good… the ground was like concrete and if everyone has the same grazes that Josh had, I’m guessing, along with sore heads, there was a lot of trousers stuck to legs on Sunday…
Thinking back, we had a really poor start to the campaign but gathered momentum as the season went on getting stronger and stronger with each game played…so all in all we’ve had a great season with lots to work on for next year… If I get time I might do a resume of the season when I’ve had a break!! Big thanks to our supporters who made the trip and after a few drinks and an enjoyable bus trip back, I think we’re all back on the saddle ready for the cup final on the 9th.

Sunday Juniors… again a rather sunny, hot day me thinks. The 7’s had a good game at Exmouth Our Junior chair went with the 8’s down for their festival at Ivybridge and although there’s technically no keeping score, we won 3 and drew one. Our 9’s at Exmouth did well I think we gave them a hiding. Our 10’s did well at their festival at Exeter and despite a small squad we did well against teams we don’t normally meet. Using Stuarts new word our 11’s also gave Exmouth a good hiding. The 12’s festival was at Bideford, hope they had time to clean up, as it was very, very busy on Saturday. Sounds like we were ravaged with injuries but still coped well. The 13’s had a tough clash with Chard and a game between two good sides, saw us pipped by 10-8. The 14’s were at their festival in Plymouth bit short of details on this one but festivals are good fun so I hope they enjoyed it. The Fifteens were on Tour and it looks like they had a good time judging by some of the video clipsbut as they say “what goes on tour, stays on tour”.

Ok.. woz on from now? … firstly just to say Giles’s doo raised an incredible £7020 with three invoices o/s. Jo has sent £3135 to Hospice care and once again a big thanks to Giles and all his chums.

There’s no senior rugby this weekend so a week to recover before the cup final down at Topsham… make a date in your diary and we’ll see you all there. … I did, as I said I would and research the competition and whilst it’s not as big a thing as it used to be, I will say we have won it 8 times which is the county record. We did a triple way back in 1927-30 . Then a double in 1993 & 94 and then another triple in 03 to 05.
Don’t forget this year’s final is on neutral ground, so a lot of home support will help us make it 9 wins! How about a train trip?

Sunday… a very weary James Vince did have a full list of games for this weekend but with grounds hard and parents/kids running out of steam, he’s now down to just two games for the boys and it’s the 8’s and 16’s who are both at home.

The Juniors presentation day is on the 10th May in the afternoon, always a good day, come on down.

The Dinner and Dance is on the 12th June so let Jonny or Finn know if your coming, the more the merrier.

That’ll do … so #UTT

Lord Jez