The additional changing accommodation was formally opened. Former player Peter Blackburn – an extremely successful entrepreneur – had been invited to perform the opening ceremony but unfortunately, his plane to Plymouth was grounded by weather conditions.
In the circumstances his mother Maud Blackburn – widow of the former president Tom Blackburn – stepped graciously into the breach and performed the opening ceremony, thereafter, receiving quite unpurturbed – the beer tankard intended for Peter. Records do not reveal the quantity of liquid contained in the tankard!
Peter Green, a long serving prop forward was captain, Norman Joyce in charge of the Wanderers and Chris Gray the Drifters. The 1st XV W17, L13, D3, 460-409. It was noticeable that some of the stronger opposition and particularly Newquay Hornets – encouraged doubtless by the support of their County Union in their senior status – inflicted heavy defeats, whilst 1974 produced but two wins and a draw in thirteen games.
The Wanderers managed 16 wins, a draw and 18 defeats, 557-498. The Drifters had little success W7, D1, L15, 163-489. In the Devon Cup the club disposed of Paignton at Paignton 17-11, but went out at Barnstaple in the next round 9-25. The Floaters barely operated, playing but one game and the Colts W12, D1, L10, 300-296.
Mrs Maude Blackburn & Mr Paddy Mahoney receive tankard presentations from President George Cross, 1973.
Additional Notes (R.Belli): 1973-74 saw significant developments off the field with an extension to the clubhouse (featuring five changing rooms, a kitchen, dining hall and refs room) officially opened in September. In a bid to increase club funds, a 200 club was established by Norman Joyce. He was also the organiser of a tour to London to coincide with the England v Wales Five Nations Match at Twickenham, tour opponents were Old Emmanuelians and old friends the Met Police C Division. On the playing front The Chiefs, with skipper Peter Green and The Wanderers led by Joyce had fairly even playing records; In the Devon Cup the Chiefs beat Paignton in their centenary season before succumbing to Barnstaple in the next round. The club also reached the semi-finals of The Combination Sevens being knocked out by OPMs. The Drifters were a little down on previous seasons and The Floaters only fulfilled one fixture. Tom Hitchins ran the colts for whom Peter Broome (for the second season) and Paul Babbage represented the County.
