Steve ‘Tommo’ Tomlinson, a consistent and committed performer at full back for a number of seasons, was 1st XV captain for the 1997-98 season, with Paul Pring as club captain.
The news about Angus Colville dominated the closed season and the club were involved in a couple of events alongside Tavistock RFC including a memorial breakfast and vets fixtures. There was further sad news when it was learned that Jenny Daniels, who alongside Ken Daniels had been prominent members of the club in the 1970s, had passed away. It was agreed to create a new end of season award in her name.
The Devon 2 division was now 10 teams strong (including new boys Wessex) with a 6 team Devon 3 now below it. The first league match was postponed due to another funeral, that of Princess Diana, on 6th September. When the fixtures did get underway, the Chiefs found themselves a bit off the pace, suffering a bit of a hangover from last season’s near-promotion. Missing some key players who had departed during the summer, notably Rob Humphries and Mark Hunt to Civil Service, victories were much harder to come by. Compounded by availability issues, consistency of selection was a major factor and the Tigers squad were plundered regularly. There was no lack of spirit though and a hard fought draw at North Tawton on the Saturday before Christmas sticks in the memory. During the season, coach Ron Boyd stood down and Andy Davey took over the role.
Argaum’s league aspirations weren’t helped by a couple of administrative errors which cost the club both financially and in points. Such was the determination of coach Davey to avoid the drop that special Saturday training sessions were organised in place of friendlies. Results did pick up in the New Year but,at the end of the season, despite a demolition of North Tawton in the final home league game, the Chiefs fate was in the balance as they finished one off the bottom. In the end only one team, Bovey Tracey, were relegated, Cullompton being champions.
The Tigers under Darren Truscott, struggled early on with numbers, but rallied such that, in the January Committee Meeting, Pete Duff reported that they had won 5 out of their last 6 matches. With stretched resources, creativity was sometimes required to get everyone game-time, a Sunday fixture with OPOs being one example. Many Plymouth Combination clubs were struggling for numbers at this point, although a new team, Woodland Fort, were requesting fixtures for the following season.
Roger Arthur was now coaching the county juniors and had assistance from one event from Andy Davey. Based at Lipson Community College, he was keen to establish a connection with Argaum as a partner club.
The social side, in sympathy with the on field efforts had a slow start but recovered in the second half of the season. Joan Hill’s report showed that the club had drunk 5.93 fewer barrels than last season to make the total only 44.69!
There was another successful tour, this time further afield to Cork, where matches were played against Carrigaline RFC and Presentation XV. The tour organiser, Paul Pring, was to take up the role of Chairman at The AGM, when Brian Willcocks stood down from the position.
At The Royal Fleet Club the following awards were made, including the inaugural Jenny Daniels Memorial Award and The Teddy Thrower (hopefully no explanation needed!).
Captain’s Trophy: Dominic Hill
Effort Award: Richard Belli
Clubman: Steve Chappell
Jenny Daniels Award: Martyn Walker
Most Improved Player: Phil Morgan
Teddy Thrower: Dominic Hill
