The 1990-91 season was a curate’s egg of a season with disappointment in the league but some success in cup competitions. Dave Johnson skippered the Chiefs for a second season but after leaving the area shortly after Christmas, his role was taken up by Geoff Baskerville.
The club’s first entry into the prestigious Provincial Insurance Cup generated some interest when The Chiefs started with convincing home wins against Dartmouth (40-4) and Cornish side Roseland (20-3). In the 3rd round they were drawn away to Gloucester side Hucclecote Old Boys where the dreams of Twickenham were ended, the club receiving a £200 3rd round losers cheque. The coach journey and trip must have been good though as thoughts of a tour were stimulated from it. The Devon 1 League campaign didn’t go according to plan as the Chiefs were relegated at the end of the season.
The Wanderers, under skipper Alan Eskriett, couldn’t quite repeat the cup adventure of the previous season and bowed out one stage earlier in the semi final of The Ellis Trophy.
Sevens featured prominently with two events being organised by the club. The first task was to track down the Armada Sevens Trophy which had been mislaid by Newton Abbot, although to be fair they provided recompense (£30) during the season. At the first tournament, on September 2nd, The Cup was won by tenants OPM with Plymstock runner-up, whilst the Plate was won by Honiton with another tenant of sorts, Plymouth Police, runner up. In the second competition, on May Bank Holiday, Jesters won the Cup competition beating Civil Service in the final. In The Plate Teignmouth (tournament favourites) beat Newton Abbot, meaning this time The All Whites left Bickleigh Down empty-handed.
The Junior section continued to progress under Roger Arthur and Ron Boyd including an 8-3 deciding leg victory at Wadebridge to win the Tamar/Camel Trophy. The side were to be entered into next season’s Devon Colts Cup and a fixture against Wasps colts had also been secured. The only fly in the ointment was the apparent ‘raggamuffin appearance’ of the side – a reference to the sides rather dilapidated kit.
Kit wasn’t a problem for the seniors this year as The Chiefs proudly sported their Citybus-sponsored shirts. The reversion to the traditional white shirts wasn’t greeted with universal enthusiasm however (perhaps by the launderer). Income also came in from Match Ball sponsorship whilst attempts were also made to drum up interest in the VP section. One destination for additional income may have been in the repair of the club minibus, whose engine had seized after overheating while transporting the colts back from a match at Helston.
There was a busy social calendar including a visit to Taunton Cider Mill, whilst back at the club a skittle alley (albeit in bits and requiring some assembly) had been acquired. There was some debate about a portable television for the club. The committee were reluctant to purchase one at the time but Alan Eskriett had a black and white one to loan. During the season two club members, Frank Matthews and Laurie Taylor had suffered bad car accidents, collections were made for both by club members.
At The AGM a new position of Life President was established, the recipient TK Hitchins, his son Bill becoming President. It was also decide that due to the demands of the cup competitions and the resulting injury toll that the Chiefs would not enter next season’s Lockie Cup competition.
At The New Continental Dinner & Dance, the following awards were made: Mark Jeffreys (Captains Trophy), Jim Giles (Players Player), Ian Wall (Effort Award) and Geoff Baskerville (Clubman).
