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History of Wessex RFC
History of Wessex RFC 2 of 2
2. Wessex Through The Years
HISTORY
Wessex RFC was formed in 1995, when it was felt that the community in Exeter could benefit from a rugby club where the true traditions of grassroots rugby could be played and enjoyed. The team at that time was mostly comprised of players from Exeter RFC's disbanded Extra B team,
During the first year, although not allowed to enter a league, the club was allowed to enter the Havill Plate (losers of the Devon Junior Cup). After defeating three Devon League 1 sides on the way, Wessex duly won the Cup by beating Newton Abbot in the final.
In the 1996/97 season Wessex were allowed to join Devon League 3 where, on a number of occasions the team ran up scores of over 100 points, and went on to become the winners of the League.
In Devon League 2 in the 1997/98 season, Wessex continued in their previous winning style and proceeded to come top of the league and to win the Havill Plate for the second time.
In the following season (1998/99), this time in Devon League 1 and only the fourth since the creation of the club, Wessex went through the season confidently and again gained promotion, this time to the Devon and Cornwall league.
This proved a harder league to be in, but the team did get to the final of the Devon Junior Cup in the 1999/2000 season, unfortunately not winning but going away with the Havill Plate instead.
In the 2002/02 season we started well, but we didn't live up to expectations in the second half of the season.
In our eighth season (2002/2003), we managed to keep going through the season, finished second and gained promotion to Western Counties West.
The 2003/04 season was tough and an eye-opener, but we hung in there and with the usual Wessex spirit, survived.
The 2004/05 unfortunately saw no improvement in our form and we went down to play in the Devon & Cornwall league again.
2007/2008 saw the introduction of the Wessex Ladies and links to Rugby league. Alas for the First XV we were relegated to Devon 1 where we remain, but are ever striving for better things.
2009/2010 Season saw an improvement on the 2008/2009 season. Wessex finished in 3rd place in the newly revamped Devon North and East League which in the second part of the season we gained a place in the promotion play offs once again finishing in 3rd position. Wessex won the Devon Junior Cup agianst league champions Totnes at Totnes.
2010/2011 Season proved be another good season finishing 2nd in the Devon 1 League, winning the Devon Junior Plate against Dartmouth at Dartmouth. Wessex also went into the final play-offs but narrowly lost in the final play-off.
Wessex RFC was formed in 1995, when it was felt that the community in Exeter could benefit from a rugby club where the true traditions of grassroots rugby could be played and enjoyed. The team at that time was mostly comprised of players from Exeter RFC's disbanded Extra B team,
During the first year, although not allowed to enter a league, the club was allowed to enter the Havill Plate (losers of the Devon Junior Cup). After defeating three Devon League 1 sides on the way, Wessex duly won the Cup by beating Newton Abbot in the final.
In the 1996/97 season Wessex were allowed to join Devon League 3 where, on a number of occasions the team ran up scores of over 100 points, and went on to become the winners of the League.
In Devon League 2 in the 1997/98 season, Wessex continued in their previous winning style and proceeded to come top of the league and to win the Havill Plate for the second time.
In the following season (1998/99), this time in Devon League 1 and only the fourth since the creation of the club, Wessex went through the season confidently and again gained promotion, this time to the Devon and Cornwall league.
This proved a harder league to be in, but the team did get to the final of the Devon Junior Cup in the 1999/2000 season, unfortunately not winning but going away with the Havill Plate instead.
In the 2002/02 season we started well, but we didn't live up to expectations in the second half of the season.
In our eighth season (2002/2003), we managed to keep going through the season, finished second and gained promotion to Western Counties West.
The 2003/04 season was tough and an eye-opener, but we hung in there and with the usual Wessex spirit, survived.
The 2004/05 unfortunately saw no improvement in our form and we went down to play in the Devon & Cornwall league again.
2007/2008 saw the introduction of the Wessex Ladies and links to Rugby league. Alas for the First XV we were relegated to Devon 1 where we remain, but are ever striving for better things.
2009/2010 Season saw an improvement on the 2008/2009 season. Wessex finished in 3rd place in the newly revamped Devon North and East League which in the second part of the season we gained a place in the promotion play offs once again finishing in 3rd position. Wessex won the Devon Junior Cup agianst league champions Totnes at Totnes.
2010/2011 Season proved be another good season finishing 2nd in the Devon 1 League, winning the Devon Junior Plate against Dartmouth at Dartmouth. Wessex also went into the final play-offs but narrowly lost in the final play-off.