Long-serving player back row and lock Andy Davey, who joined the club as a colt in the late 1970s was Chiefs Captain for the 1995-96 season, Pete Duff continuing as Club Captain. Longtime tenants OPM finally left Bickleigh Down along with Hon Sec Phil Evans (Gamekeeper poached?) and one or two other former Argaum players, but having settled their financial debts in full over the summer. At the end of the season Bar ChairWoman Joan Hills reported that the club had a shortfall of 12 barrels over the season, an indication that Argaum had been drinking the lion’s share and a possible explanation why The Chiefs were in a different league (literally on and off the pitch!).
Jane Davey became hon sec and Brian Willcocks chaired a hard-working committee that included Paul Pring, who produced a new internal club magazine, ‘The Extra’ reviving memories of ‘The Argos’. Dennis Littlejohn, skipper a coupe of years before, left the area to move to New Orleans.
The Chiefs finished a creditable 4th in the 12 team Devon 2, which included decent early season wins over Axminster (16-15), Prince Rock (28-3) and North Tawton (65-15, Humphries hat trick). There was somewhat of a slump in the mid-season before a reasonable finish saw a win over Jesters (46-20) compensating for a disappointing loss at Bovey Tracey (Taff Cummins early sending off proving decisive).
Plying their trade in a higher league, Exeter Saracens saw off the Chiefs hopes in the Pilkington and Devon Cups whilst Devon One OPOs did the same in The Lockie Cup.
The Tigers, under Barry Scott, had a great start to the season winning 8 of their opening 12 fixtures, including the scalps of Wadebridge II (29-15), St Austell III (12-0) and the second strings of Tamar Saracens (39-0) and Seale Hayne (42-10). There was also a double over Buckfastleifgh Ramnblers, who were a second XV fixture at the time. Tavistock II convinckly killed off Ellis Cup hopes, Genial Scotsman, Gary Gillan, took over the reigns of the Tigers for the latter couple of months of the season.
A small surfeit of players meant that, The Drifters, plying their trade on a Sunday, ensured all got a game. This included wins over Channings Wood Prison (15-10), OPOs (35-10) and a team from the nearby Child Support Agency at Woolwell. One narrow loss was recorded, against Tuskers at Mary Tavy.
The colts was rebooted with some initial input from Lee McDowell and Pete Duff; Roger Arthur returned to the area to take up the reins as the colts looked to enter competitions the following season. Lee Pundsack, previous colts skipper, was presented with an Argaum Captains tie before going off to University.
With OPMs 3 teams now resident at Elburton, there was pressure on that facility, which was also the home of OPOs amongst others. Spotting an opportunity, the club offered its facilities to The Combination. The offer was taken up and fixtures including Prince Rock v Axminster and Plymouth Uni Ladies v Exmouth were hosted at Bickleigh Down.
A very busy social scene saw a number of events held throughout the year and the Sunday afternoon Club, under the benevolent eye of the Hill’s stewardship, becoming a regular fixture for many.
A successful tour to Morlaix in Brittany took place at Easter, with matches at RC Chateaulin, RC Landerneau.
Off the pitch the main attention of the committee was organising repairs to the clubhouse roof and resurfacing the car park. For a club who deliberated on the purchase of a black and white portable TV a few years back, this committee agreed that a sky TV package should be obtained in far shorter order. Another sign of the times was that the Chairman misplaced his mobile phone, although with the ‘bricks’ prevelant then, one wonders how?
In mid-season an extraordinary meeting was held by the RFU in Birmingham. The club didn’t attend but learned that, amongst other things, the leagues were to be restructured and fixtures were to (at last) be on a home and away basis would be brought in next season. The club also gave its blessing to a new team from Exeter (Phoenix/Wessex) to join Devon RFU.
Having won The Combination Sevens Alex Dow Plate the previous season but not receiving until the autumn, the club had somehow misplaced it and a frantic search was on (presumably successful) to find it before the Combo’s AGM in June.
The Dinner and Dance was held at The Grand Hotel on The Hoe in which the following awards were made:
Captain’s Trophy: Carl Lake
Player’s Player: Danny Morgan
Effort Award: Rob Humphries
Clubman: Martyn Walker
Most Improved Player: Tony Dyble
