Tommy Cooper was Chiefs Captain for the 1992-93 season which was a challenging one. Post World Cup there was a feeling of change throughout the game as new laws were introduced, largely driven by teams in the southern hemisphere.
The league structure, now under the auspices of First XI, became much more onerous in terms of administration with scrutiny on player registration and match cards. New Hon Secretary Phil Evans spent much time dealing with the latter which incurred the occasional fine (not the last time the club would incur such expense!).
Pre-season an approach was received from Marjons to play matches at Bickleigh Down, to which the club, ever eager for additional income agreed. It proved slightly harder to obtain payment from the student side for the pitch use but eventually this was recovered toward the end of the season! The fees were increase for resident tenants OPM to £15 per match or training session.
The Chiefs were unable to build on their promotion the previous season and were relegated from Devon Division 1. Teams were still adjusting to the leagues, which were played on the basis of playing each team once rather than home and away. It was becoming clear that the larger town clubs, such as Kingsbride and Newton Abbot were starting to come into the ascendancy. As if to illustrate the point Tavistock, in a letter to The Combination, asked for their second team to enter the cup competitions as they now sported 3 teams and had put over 70 points on Devonport Services II. The Club’s Lockie Cup ambitions fell foul of a dispute with Civil Service over the fixture date.
The Wanderers were knocked out of The Ellis Trophy by Old Techs III for the second successive season, this time at the quarter final stage. This would be the last season (for a while) that the 2nd XV would be known under this name for, at the AGM, it was agreed to rename them ‘The Tigers’.
Unfortunately the colts were not able to fulfil their fixtures this season but must have pressed on as there was some hope of restarting the following year. At the AGM it was reported that the ‘colts team’ at Southway School (influence of John Ellis?) would merge with Argaum’s youngsters. Also at the AGM it was announced that Bill Annandale would become a Life Member.
The Dinner and Dance was held at The Astor Hotel, where Rich Harpham received The Captains Trophy, Steve Tomlinson The Effort Award and Pete Duff Clubman of The Year.
