The pacy, high-striding wing three-quarter and latter-day lock Phil Morgan was the Chiefs 1st XV Captain for the 2001-02 season as the club began its first season in Devon 3.
After the turmoil of relegation the previous season, a divisional reshuffle meant that North Tawton and Prince Rock joined the Chiefs in what was proposed to be an 8-team division. However, Bovey Tracey folded and Plymouth University became OPM Academicals (4th team). With a 6-team division the league fixtures were, therefore, somewhat sparsely scattered across the season.
Prince Rock, now merged with Woodland Fort and coached by ex-Argaum colt Mark Busfield, were the outstanding team of the season with a perfect 10 victories whereas the rest of the Division could all beat each other on their day. The Chiefs, with new Coach Simon Roberston, were disappointed to finish 3rd in the end, with two defeats against Salcombe proving fatal to any promotion chances. In a season where nothing came easy, the Chiefs came back from 15-3 down at home to Buckfastleigh in October to win by 17-15, tries from Ben Lanigan and Des Higgins, Steve Tomlinson converting. However, the victory came at a cost with Phil Morgan breaking an arm and therefore passing skipper duties to Andy Critchley for the remainder of the season. Prop Richard Belli also suffered a broken leg after Christmas in a friendly against OPM which curtailed his season (probably against current guidelines he was carried down to the clubhouse by 6 burly forwards so that the match could resume!).
Saltash, a couple of divisions up the league structure, convincingly ended Argaum’s Tetley Bitter ambitions in September, only after a minute’s silence for the 9/11 terrorist attack was held. The Lockie cup match with Tavistock was closer as the teams shared over 80 points in an entertaining match but The Moorlanders came away with the victory.
The Tigers, under Andy Rees, himself hampered by work unavailability, battled well throughout the season to fulfil their fixtures but wins were extremely hard to come by. A defeat by OPO II in the Ellis Cup saw a Pedrick Cup Semi Final defeat by St Columba Torpoint who were fielding their 1st and only team at the time. Sunday matches featured new opponents Buckland Monochorum.
There was also another successful Easter Tour, this time to Dublin. Argaum’s second visit in four years to the Emerald Isle had been eagerly anticipated and was widely regarded as being the best tour yet. It even had the added bonus of the home side failing to show for the planned 2nd match which gave the lads extra time in which to soak up the cultural experience that is the Irish Capital.
RFU Community officer Alan Black visited the club as part of a tour of grassroots rugby and was surprised to see Louise Needham, Argaum’s 2nd Lady Chairman, climbing off the mower after cutting the pitches. This was rather symbolic of how the club was being run by a very small number of people with ‘all hands to the pump’. Black was accompanied by Plymouth Combination’s Pete Rendle and Sam Smale, who enjoyed the club’s hospitality so much that they couldn’t remember getting home! The Plymouth Combination celebrated their centenary at the end of the season and in a special match against a Devon President XV, the club were represented well by centre Phil Hall and front rower Darren Truscott. Combination chairman Pete Rendle later commented that the Argaum pair didn’t look out of place in the representative match and were a credit to the club and Devon 3. (Interesting to see in the Under 8s match, one Ieuan Tucker and Ellery Jones playing in the same side).
Perhaps the most bizarre episode was the new year visit of 3 female students from Basel Switzerland, Katja, Michelle and Natalie were studying rugby in Plymouth and chose Argaum as their subject. They researched the club’s history, interviewed Life President Tom Hitchins, watched Argaum play Brixham and even turned up to two training sessions. Their interest was likely attracted by the club’s burgeoning online presence which belied the status of the club at the time. In the spring, the club website won the monthly award by the magazine Rugby News for its ‘scattergun and sometimes scatological’ approach. Incidentally, the message forum at the time still survives at http://www.argaum125.argaum.org.uk/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=148
Social Secretary Stuart Quarterman was a busy man organising several club events featuring ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire’ and Pub Olympics. At the end of the season there was a reunion for the old Victoria rugby club at the clubhouse organised by ‘Whisky’ Walker.
The club were taking a number of steps to get organised off the pitch with development plans for facilities, junior rugby and continuing links with Lipson Community College. The club also took part in The Rugby Forum – a new initiative fronted by Plymouth Albion’s coach Graham Dawe.
At the AGM there was much change with long serving Bar Chairwoman Joan Hills finally stepping down to be replaced by current Lady Chairman Louise Needham. In turn, her place at the helm was taken by Simon Robertson as Chairman whilst Steve Barnes was elected President after Ceri Critten stepped down. Over the summer the new President held an ‘Oggy and Scrumpy Night’ at the club to mark the occasion.
At the Dinner and Dance, held at The New Continental (the Hon Secretary’s departure was assisted by front row for a second time this season!) the following awards were made:
Captain’s Trophy: Mark Foster
Player’s Player: Phil Hall
Effort Award: Lee Mcdowell
Clubman: Andy Critchley
Jenny Daniels Award: Phil Morgan
Most Improved Player: Lloyd Gould
2nd XV Player of The Year: Paul Pring/Chris Sillitoe/Mick Organ
Teddy Thrower: Steve Tomlinson
