Brian Willcocks was the Club Captain in The Centenary Season 1987-88. As with all such seasons, huge effort goes in on and off the field and this was no exception. This ranged from It’s A Knockout in pre-season to a very well attended Bank Holiday Argaum Sevens (won by Newton Abbot) featuring no less than 23 sides!
There were a number of special fixtures including matches against Devon, Plymouth Albion and Devonport Services which stretched the club’s playing resources. Despite this, three teams were fielded. The Chiefs played a mammoth 38 fixtures, winning 11 and drawing 1. Geoff Baskerville’s Wanderers won 13 of their 31 fixtures, whilst The Drifters under Pete Duff performed commendably to fulfil 27 fixtures, winning 3.
Prince Rock were beaten in the Devon Junior Cup first round. The result of the second round v Kingsbridge as well as the final league position is unknown. In truth, these were probably well down the list of priorities compared with the Centenary Events.
For the Seniors Pete Heal was top scorer with 185 points whilst the Club Skipper Willcocks scored a round century with 25 tries. The junior side was also resurrected.
A special Centenary History, written by David Dobell with assistance from Mike Worth was produced which proved very popular (and has also proved a useful reference source for seasons prior to this!)
The Centenary Dinner, organised by one TK Hitchins and hosted at Plymouth Polytechnic, was very successful with RFU President, former England player and Coach, John Burgess, along with a number of former players in attendance. At The Presidents Dinner a collection was made for 3rd team player Tim Lipscombe for whom a rugby injury had prevented him taking up a place in The RAF.
Off the field the industrious Mike Pike had taken over as Hon Sec from Ian Ramsay and had to deal with a couple of player transfer disputes with local clubs, something that would rear its ahead again in the coming seasons. Out of interest in relation to one of the club’s current local rivals; a letter from OPOs with notification of their new clubhouse in Tavy Place whilst Argaum seconded a proposal for a new club at Plymstock to join the Devon RFU.
At the AGM some proposals were raised, including; that the “Club Captain be elected by players and not necessarily a team captain or playing member”; and, that the club’s section policy (cause of a few issues in recent years) be more open and transparent “In this way aggravation and disunity may be avoided”. The committee were to consider these over the summer.
With so many off the field events and socials during the season the original Dinner Dance was (understandably) cancelled due to lack of support but subsequently re-arranged. The annual awards in this apparently long and exhausting season went to Dave Johnson (Captain’s trophy), D.Polglass (Players Player & Effort), Janet & Dave Osborne (Clubman).
