In addition there are wonderful insights about the way both the club and rugby in the region operated. Argaum was going through a very good period during the mid 1960s and this particular season saw arguably the club’s greatest victory, a defeat of Camborne, away, with 14 men! Bill, like many others at Argaum, was a product of St Boniface School and played for a number of seasons during the 1960s with appearances restricted by periods away from the area including Dublin and Twickenham. Returning to the area for a teaching post at Saltash High School, he was later instrumental in the formation of Saltash RFC in 1969 and its continued development till the present day, where he is Club President. Nevertheless Bill still finds time to pop into the reunions and is always interested to hear about the club’s progress.

A Captain’s Year is presented here for your enjoyment, its a great read!

The post Bill Ryan – A Captain’s Year 1966-67 first appeared on PLYMOUTH ARGAUM RFC.

Since the first colts side was established in the late 1950s, Plymouth Argaum have had many good teams and a reputation for bringing players through into senior rugby. This of course is as true with the present day squad as it was then. From the earliest days the section proved so popular that from 1961-62, the club’s 75th anniversary, two colts sides (‘A’ and ‘B’) were fielded. So by 1964-65, under the tutelage of club stalwart Bill Farren, the colts were well established and were about to embark on a remarkable season. The facts and figures for the A side read as follows:

Played 31 Won 28 Lost 3 Points For 945 Points Against 98

One has to remember that these were the days of 3 points for a try so at a conservative estimate this would be over 1300 points in today’s value. The side proved so strong that as the season progressed they played some matches against senior (adult) opposition, hard to imagine happening these days.

One of the few defeats was at the hands of an adult Combination side, Old Suttonians. The press report reads “Old Suttonians were surprised to find themselves facing the A Colts side instead of the Extra A, but they never had a chance to judge the difference because they were hurried from pillar to post by the younger lighter team. Heavily outweighed and manoeuvred in the pack, the Colts took every advantage in the line out and went into the lead when Burgom crossed – much to the delight of their supporters. Oliver, who with Lavis, was outstanding in the pack, scored a brilliant try to give the visitors a 6 point lead at the interval. The Old Boys came crashing back in the second half, tries by Crowden and Burns levelling and David Johns conversion winning this very exciting game.”

There was much disappointment at the club when having sent 8 players to the Devon county trial, none progressed further than that stage. Writing in that season’s report to the AGM, David Dobell, reported that two props that attended the trial were actually played in the second row. Other players were openly told by selectors that they wouldn’t have a chance of selection whilst playing for an ‘unfashionable’ club like Argaum.

Nevertheless the club was to benefit hugely as the colts progressed through to the senior team during one of the most successful periods that the club had experienced. As David Dobell says in the Centenary History; ‘It is perhaps worth recording the names of the lads who participated in this remarkable record, the majority of whom continued with the Club after reaching 18. J Perring, P Picken, M Allen, P Sargeant, J Oliver, C Pascoe, B Hambly, D Martin, F Rogers, P Burgom, C Cooms, P Clarke, E Hill, R Bowden, F Lavis (Capt.), C Tucker, I Kirkpatrick and K Renshaw.

The post The Colts of 1964-65 first appeared on PLYMOUTH ARGAUM RFC.

By the mid 1960s Plymouth Argaum had established themselves as one of the leading junior sides in the region, regularly running 3 Senior Saturday sides, 2 colts sides and even a Wednesday team, The Barbarians. This was a time long before leagues and therefore fixtures were arranged against traditional opponents based on whether clubs were deemed to have ‘senior’ or ‘junior’ status. Despite Argaum’s success during this period the fixture secretary were frustrated with not being able to obtain fixtures against some of the better teams in Devon. This grew to such an extent that the club even applied to join the Cornwall RFU where it was perceived that fixtures were drawn up more on merit and results rather than tradition.

The application was turned down however, before the start of the 1966-67 season, which saw Argaum continue their good from by winning the first 8 matches of the season. Bill Ryan, who went on to establish the club at Saltash, of which he is now President, was 1st XV captain, whilst Rip Kirby returned from a brief spell at Plymouth Albion to operate at scrum-half. John Ellis and Tony Blonden were other prominent members of the backs behind a pack that contained Barry Rees, Peter Green and a prolific back row of John Price, Fred Rogers and Frank Lavis.

By the time they travelled to The Recreation Ground at the end of January they had a record of 16 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats which included victories over the likes of Brixham and Launceston. Camborne have always been one of Cornwall’s leading clubs with numerous players representing the county over the years whilst their ground regularly staged important representative matches. Indeed 3 weeks before Argaum’s visit, the touring Australians had played a Cornwall & Devon side, running out 11-6 winners.

To the match in question then and Camborne missed an early penalty opportunity through Tonkin, after which Argaum’s backs showed promise through good handling with Ryan and Blonden both prominent. Camborne pressured the Argaum defence through their pack with Terry Mankee, held up over the line after an excellent effort to score in the corner. Argaum defended stoutly but eventually pressure told as Carter sent Rockett over for an unconverted try to give the Cherry & Whites a 3-nil half time lead. Argaum’s prospects look bleaker at the start of the second half when Dave Martin, who had played much of the season on the wing, but was occupying the fly-half berth on this occasion, was badly injured with a suspected broken ankle. This was in the days before replacements were allowed in rugby, the laws were not changed until the 1968-69 season, therefore Argaum were down to 14 men. This appeared to galvanise Argaum’s efforts and the back row in particular, with tries coming through Fred Rogers and the previous season’s captain, John Price. A conversion was added by the prolific Kirby to give Argaum a famous 8-3 victory.

The outcome was viewed differently on opposite sides of the Tamar, with Argaum seeing the result as proof that they could live with a higher standard of opposition, whilst for Camborne it was viewed as something of a disaster losing to a junior club such as Argaum. The Cornish Press whilst launching a scathing attack on the Cherry & Whites did acknowledge however that Argaum were ‘a competent side who would not be disgraced in the senior ranks’. The season never quite hit the same heights for Argaum, who had a bit of a mixed bag of results thereafter. Camborne recovered and the following season secured the first victory over Ebbw Vale, who regularly toured Cornwall during Easter. They went on to become the premier side in the County during the 1970s and 1980s and when League Rugby arrived in 1987 where placed in the National Leagues. 

The post Classic Matches: 28th Jan 1967 – Camborne 3 Argaum 8 first appeared on PLYMOUTH ARGAUM RFC.

The aim of the site is to provide an archive for past players, their families and friends as well as a fascinating insight into the sporting and social history of the area. We are closely linked with the club VPs as well as PAPPA (Plymouth Argaum Past Players Association).

Whilst looking back on the club history we don’t intend to remain stuck in the past and include links to the club as its run today, with senior men’s and women’s teams, a thriving junior section as well as walking rugby.

The post Welcome! first appeared on PLYMOUTH ARGAUM RFC.

The Devonporters held the upper hand for a long time, but Ledington’s knowledge of soccer came in handy, a couple of flying kicks driving Wednesday out to the centre. Here Collett marked, and the return being weak the game was taken to Argaum goal line. Vosper tried to relieve, but his kick was charged, and The Devonporters went over for a second unconverted try. Argaum after this did well, but Bryant passed forward. Argaum improved in their play, their backs finding touch cleverly and Vosper was nearly over. Bryant handled just after, and being unmarked, went over by the side of the post, but Vosper failed at an easy place. Play favoured Argaum and Vosper, easily tricking half a dozen opponents, picked up in the loose and scored in the corner, and the kick failing, the teams were on an equality at half time.

Half Time Devonport Wednesday, 2 tries. Plymouth Argaum, 2 tries.

RESULT : Plymouth Argaum 1 goal 3 tries. Devonport Wednesday, 2 tries.

The post Devonport Wednesday v. Plymouth Argaum Dec 31st 1902 first appeared on PLYMOUTH ARGAUM RFC.