MONDAY July 16 saw the Okehampton Rugby FC annual meeting. Treasurer Robert Curtis reported that the club is in a healthy financial state, but with a large bill to pay for the second phase of the main pitch drainage work. This is mostly covered by grants from the England RFU, Sport England, WDBC and OUC. The club is grateful for the support of these bodies as it would not have been possible without them.

Chairman Robert Barkwell reported that the club had had a good 2017-18 season on the field, with the first XV finishing fifth in the South West one League, the highest league position the club has attained since the league structure was introduced.

Robert thanked his fellow directors and committee members for their hard work over the past year.

Outgoing president Andy Ewen said that he had enjoyed the two years of his tenure with success on the field contributing massive to that, before handing over the new president, Phillip Friend. Phil is looking forward to his term of office. Both Andy and Phil were players at the club and have a long association with rugby in Okehampton.

The main pitch improvement work second phase was carried out in late May, rather later than had been anticipated due to the very wet weather. The delay has been exacerbated by the extremely hot dry weather that has followed the rain. However, with some irrigation, the grass is beginning to grow well, so the pitch could be available in the autumn, though perhaps not as early as September as had been hoped for. The contractors have still to return to carry out final top dressing of the pitch.

Training for the new season has been underway for a few weeks now.

The club has a new coaching team, with the return of Gareth Evans to the fold as head coach; Robert Dugard has taken on the role of forwards coach, and Devon Armitage will coach the backs. Both have played rugby at higher levels and bring a lot of experience and expertise to the club.

Pre-season games have been arranged with the team playing away at Exeter University on Friday, August 17, kick-off 7pm and at home to Brixham on Saturday, August 25, kick-off 3pm. The first game of the new league season is at home to newly promoted Devonport Services on Saturday, September 1, kick-off 3pm.