The start of the season always provides a good buzz and the attitude and commitment of the boys is really starting together. Thursday night saw players who are not available for selection at this point turn up, alongside a full XV in preparation for the game. A full squad of 20 was selected and provided the opportunity to continue the development of 3 of our colts, with 2 of them featuring in the starting line up.

The game started superbly with Rob Griffin immediately making his return felt it catching our own kick off and the team playing through several phases, resulting in a try in under 60 seconds. The intensity and accuracy was maintained and after 22 minutes there were 22 points and 4 tries on the board. Buckfastleigh to their credit pulled things together and stemmed the flow and in honesty we stopped doing the things that had been working so well, holding the ball for too long, and coming away from the game plan.

Although we got ourselves together and scored some good tries in the second half, including a superb finish by Ben Dawson, and a big impact from George Toomey it is great that the overriding feeling at the end was one of slight disappointment. That said, this is the first time the team has ever played together and there is much to be positive about and build upon moving forward.