After a very challenging and hard fought 08/09 season the 1st XV remain in the Devon & Cornwall league. With the loss of some influential players over the summer, the side has seen some new, youthful and not so youthful faces coming through and turning out each week for the firsts. Howard Turner, still as Head Coach, diligently and patiently has been building a young side into what is now developing into a competent, hard working and passionate team, for which we are all grateful. A big thank you also goes out to Giles Phillips and Ryan Yeoman for their help at training sessions.
The 09/10 season couldn’t have started in a better fashion with a convincing victory away at our old rivals OPOs, where some fast flowing and confident rugby was being played. Following on from this some good performances were put in picking up another victory against Torrington in the autumn.
Injury and availability largely contributed to some of the losses earlier in the season. But some encouraging phases of play and glimpses of sheer OPM class, has given this developing side the belief and determination to go out each week and put in some excellent performances despite the result. Players from the 2nd XV who were pushing for places at the start of the season are now firm features in the 1st XV and have proven themselves each game to be valuable assets to the team and club. With a well deserved victory over Saltash and a gritty performance against St Austell 2009 drew to a close with an air of optimism and confidence. Now in the ‘tenties’ the side has renewed vigor and is looking forward to the 2nd half of the season, relishing the opportunity to put right those results, in return fixtures, that just eluded us in the 1st half.
Off the pitch the social committee, led by Henry Matthews has put on some very successful and highly participated nights of entertainment. The spooky Halloween party raised hell and went down a storm; the scary chilli was a hit and by far a better choice than the ghoul ash. Safe to say people looked ghostly the next day. Followed by the Christmas curry night where there was plenty of food, wine and most importantly people, some members even brought their naan!! As ever the social side of the club is thriving and the effort put in by the social committee is much appreciated.
The club has been working tirelessly raising money and awareness for Motor Neurons Disease, on behalf of our inspirational Chairman, Simon Adams, who was diagnosed with the disorder in the autumn. The official 09/10 OPMs Calendar now adorns the walls of kitchens, offices, staffrooms and bathrooms across the nation, raising over £3500 for the charity in its first week of sale. More fundraising events are being organized for the coming months and I urge you to get involved in whatever capacity to add to the pot and get us closer to that total.
All the boys are looking forward to the upcoming games and everything else the season has to offer, as we put in the hard graft to secure our place in the Devon & Cornwall league where we deserve to be.
Rhys Phillips