Devon RFU celebrates the hard work and achievements of its clubs and representative teams:

Devon RFU celebrates the hard work and achievements of its clubs and representative teams:

Devonport Services won Region 1 South West in 2026, moving up and joining Barnstaple, Exeter University in National 2 West.

Topsham who finished second played Brixham in the new play-offs first round then loosing in the next round, whilst Exeter University won the Play-off final to remain in Nat 1 for this season.

The Devon Senior Cup, was won by Exmouth who defeated Brixham at Astley park in a very entertaining afternoon.

In Region 2, Tiverton, Okehampton and Crediton also achieved play-off places, however stay in Region 2 for this season. Devonport Services second team won Devon 2 and are promoted to Counties 1 West, whilst Exmouth Seconds won Counties 3 North East and Brixham Seconds won the Counties 3 South West.

Once again, it has been good to have the Devon Cup Competitions at all levels, with 90% of teams signing up at the start of the season, however as with last years it has also been very frustrating! To be fair the main challenge was the VERY WET winter that caused a lot of cancellations and a challenge in trying to re-arrange them, whist understanding that the League will always take precedence!

The key, as normal is the request from most clubs for each season, is to try and have extra games that would help clubs to generate revenue! So, this is what we tried to do, by having a number of Cup competitions that would give this opportunity. It is therefore VERY frustrating of the number of walkovers that occurred again this year! We had 13 Walk overs in all competitions, (a reduction of 5) 9 HWO’s and 4 AWO’s these are slightly better than last year and it would be fair to say that the majority of these where in the Second team competitions, however it is still VERY frustrating especially when clubs put in so much work to get the games on, with significant cost’s and only to be let down by some clubs that at times really seem to care about the implications!

The biggest implication and MY biggest headache, was trying to get all the finals completed, and with the exception of the Senior Shield we managed to achieve these in the end.

The Senior Cup IS one of the oldest Cup Competitions in the Country! I would like to record my thanks to members of the Competition Committee for their support and especially Tim Warren and Conrad Sutcliff for all they do for Devon Competitions. I would like to thank all those that attended the many finals to ensure we had representation at each game, with a number taking place on the SAME day! Many congratulations to all the finalists and especially the winners for this last year. Also well done to all the Host clubs who put on some wonderful Devon occasions.

Devon Cups Results;

• Senior Cup Brixham 28 V Exmouth 36 – Winners Exmouth
• Senior Shield Tiverton V Topsham - Not played this year because of weather delays
• Intermediate Cup Barnstaple Seconds 50 V Oakhampton 0 - Winners Barnstaple Seconds
• Intermediate Plate Newton Abbot 30 V Cullompton 47 – Winners Cullompton
• Junior Cup Exeter Saracens 18 V Honiton 44 – Honiton Winners
• Junior Bowl New Cross 19 V OPM’s 24 – Winners OPM’s
• 2nd XV Cup Devonport Services 51 V Topsham 27 – Winners Devonport Services
• 2nd XV Shield Exmouth 67 V Paignton  12 – Winners Exmouth
• David Butt Trophy Devonport Thirds 33 V Exmouth Thirds 27 – Winners Devonport Services

Devon Senior Men’s Representative Team
The county side has had an exceptional season, defeating North Midlands in the Bill Beaumont County Championship and regaining the Tamar Cup with a hard-fought victory over Cornwall. These wins highlight the depth of talent and dedication among Devon’s players and coaching staff.