Rob ‘Arnie’ Humphreys, a hard-running no 8, continued the run of back-row skippers when he led The Chiefs for the 1996-97 Campaign. Martyn ‘Whisky’ Walker and Paul Pring shared Club Captain duties through the season.
The Chiefs improved one place on the previous season by finishing 3rd in Devon 2, although much clubhouse debate was generated in subsequent seasons as to whether this was a promotion that ‘got away’. Hooker Richie Ayson was a new signing for the club, completing a powerful front row alongside Carl Lake and Paul Gardener. Spoilt for choice in the back row, this was a pack that was capable of dominating most teams in the division. A power game meant that the tries were shared across the team and perhaps one weakness was the reluctance to play a more expansive game to allow the backs to capitalise on the forward dominance. The season had seen the introduction of the five point try and therefore crossing the whitewash was more important than ever. Nevertheless the league double was completed over St Columba, Bovey Tracey and Salcombe, whilst only champions Ilfracombe did the the double over Argaum.
In The Devon Cup, new boys Wessex claimed a convincing victory at Bickleigh Down whilst Prince Rock, a bit of a bogey team around this period, won by 3 points in The Havill Plate. Argaum did get revenge on Rockies a couple of weeks later in the league. The Chiefs reached the semi final of the Lockie Cup, after beating St Columba and Plymstock, but lost out to Devon 1 side Tamar Saracens (7-21) at the penultimate stage. Prop Carl Lake, suffered a very nasty jaw injury, during the match with Old Techs at the turn of the year, and sadly retired from the game.
The Tigers, under Gary Gillan, suffered from a number of late cancellations and therefore struggled to get into a rhythm during the season. They were knocked out of the Ellis Cup by Saltash III.
It was a season of struggle for the colts who after playing some matches in the early season, lost influential players which meant that they didn’t operate from December onward. It appeared other clubs were in a similar boat as approaches had been made by both Civil Service and Plymouth Albion to merge teams. It was recommended that the club start to look at running a much younger age group next season. A dispute when the visiting Saltash youngsters caused some damage after a match in October, wasn’t resolved until Bill Ryan intervened at the end of the season. He also agreed to assist the club with grant applications.
Off the field, Paul Pring was investigating a possible relocation of the club to adjacent fields, but the subsequent search for the clubhouse deeds proved fruitless. The social events continued to bring in much-needed income with the establishment of darts team as well as an approach from former tenants OPM to use a pitch for their 3rd team. The Young farmers were back on the scene, this time with plans for more sedate events including amateur dramatics, their tardiness in paying for such facilities hadn’t changed.
There was no tour this season, but Cardiff Civil Service visited in Easter and were very pleased with the hospitality they received. At the AGM Bar Chairwoman Joan Hills expressed disappointment that ‘only 56’ barrels of beer had been drunk this season – although looking at the estimation of pints drawn – Lager (7,260), Bitter (4,686) and Guiness (1,498) – this would appear to be drinking on an epic scale!
The following awards were made at the Fleet Club Dinner and Dance:
Captain’s Trophy: P.Gardner
Player’s Player: M.Lane
Effort Award: A.Davey
Clubman: C.Humphries
Most Improved Player: R.Belli
In June, the committee were shocked to learn that club trustee, former player and referee Angus Colville – ‘a long and true friend of the club’ had been murdered whilst on holiday on central America. Over 1000 people turned up for his funeral in Tavistock, which brought the season to a very sad conclusion.
