Super summer of activity at Barnstaple Rugby Club

It has been a summer of new signing and returning heroes at Barnstaple Rugby Club, as well as promotions to the senior ranks and the release of fixtures for 2024/25.

The Barnstaple Chiefs will open their new campaign with two tough trips on the road, taking on St Austell on September 7 and Brixham a week later. The first home game for Barum is an absolute beast on September 21, as Chew Valley visit Pottington Road for a battle between two sides sure to be contending for the Regional 1 South-West title.

Ivybridge are the visitors on October 12, which will form part of the Oktoberfest celebrations at the club. Barum will face three new opponents in the season ahead, including Royal Wootton Bassett, Sidmouth and Marlborough.

Barnstaple are scheduled to finish their season at home to St Austell on April 5.

One of the new faces for Barum fans to welcome is James Fraser, who has moved to the UK from New Zealand and he is joined by one of the former players returning to Pottington Road, Bertie Stretch back at the club from Clifton RFC.

Jordan Petherbridge is another familiar player to North Devon rugby. He has rejoined from Taunton RFC and Petherbridge said: “It’s great to be back at the club, most of my success in rugby has come from playing at Barnstaple. It’s like a second home for me and I’ve enjoyed being back in such a positive environment with a young, talented group of lads.”

Joining the new recruits in the senior set-up is eight players making the step up from the Colts this season. They include Jack Neil, Ewan Davies, Keyan McInerney, Jenson Bates, Kyle Bassett, Matt Purchase, Sam Young and Rory Wilson.

Alex MacMillan has made the short move across from North Devon, Troy Willis is another rejoining the club and so is Brendan Darley, who said: “After stepping back from a higher level of rugby for a season, I’m now ready to commit to Barnstaple again and hopefully repay them for all their support when I had my injury.”