Last Saturday, for the first time since Covid.19 forced the cessation of rugby back in March, there was competitive rugby at Rackerhayes.
Newton Abbot’s Ladies section organised a festival that brought together nine teams from eight different clubs.
Three hours of fast and furious eight-a-side touch rugby culminated in a final that saw the two Cullompton squads up against each other.
Cullompton A came top of the group of five when beating Ivybridge (who were losing for the first time) and Cullompton B saw off the challenge of the home club to earn their place in the last two, after topping the group of four.
In a tense final, where defences were on top, only a single try was scored that settled the result in favour of Cullompton A.
The winning side were awarded the match ball, that was sponsored by The Country Sports Shop, and also picked up a couple of cases of beer kindly provided by locally based Teignworthy Brewery.
Organiser Jess Veacock was very pleased with the way things went, commenting “It was really good to have something that was as near to normal as possible in the current situation. There was a lot of interest in doing something similar either here at Newton again, or at another host club.
At Newton we have recruited quite a few new players during the summer and this format was an ideal introductory opportunity for them.
As with all these events, thanks are due to all those who made it happen, in particular the referees, James Grant, Graeme Gillard, Dan Walters and Harry Glanville. Thanks also to the sponsors and the Club members who helped behind the scene, and especially to Charles Baughan of Westaways Sausages who provided the popular barbecue”.
Apart from the already mentioned teams, the other clubs involved were Exeter Saracens, Bridgwater and Albion, Devonport Services, Withycombe and Topsham.

Sponsors:
Tom's Gas and Heating
Codner Builders
GTJ Carpentry
Caple Bank Ltd
BRS Images
Condor Vehicle Sales
Brixham Dental Practice
Newton Abbot Racecourse
AC Garage Services
Teignworthy Brewery
Westaways Sausages
The Country Sports Shop
GH