WESSEX LEARN LESSON'S FROM PROMOTION BID THAT FLOPPED. What a difference a year has made to the fortunes of the newly-crowned Devon One champions Wessex. This time last year Wessex were just about to throw away promotion from Devon One, having led the division for most of the season. The Flowerpot Men won their-first tan games and seemed odds-on to go up. A 43-6 defeat by New Cross upset some sort of apple cart and Wessex only won two of their last six games.

Tamar Saracens and Topsham got ahead of Wessex to claim promotion – Topsham were given a walkover in the play-offs against by Cornish qualifiers Cambourne School of Mines – and that was that. Wessex won more games than Topsham, but their habit of winning by narrow margins cost them bonus points. They stayed down by two points.

Scroll forward 12 months and Wessex were assured promotion before yesterday’s last-league game against Torrington. The side that ground out dour wins last season has scored exactly 100 points more than anyone else in Devon One – and taken more try-scoring bonus points. During the close season, Wessex brought in Ross Bovingdon as Director of Rugby as part of a development plan to grow the club through links of Exeter College and others in the West Exe area.

Bovingdon had a good idea why Wessex stumbled on the run-in as he was head coach at Topsham last season, one of the side that went past them in the final furlongs. It wasn’t rocket science to see what had gone wrong. Bovingdon’s task was to put it right. ‘When I arrived, I put massive emphasis on scoring bonus points,’ said Bovingdon, ‘We changed our game plan to enable this to happen and have reaped the rewards by scoring the most points in the Division, ‘Defensive systems were re-organised and have been a great success, with the lads buying into it and, as a result, having the best defensive record in the league. ‘We have maintained our form throughout the season and even performing poorly we have managed to scrape wins, draws or a losing bonus points.’ Bovingdon was added to the coaching team compromising Wessex lifers Dean Jeffery and Darren Russell, both of whom he was keen to praise. ‘Both brought ideas to the plate and worked tirelessly to help all at Wessex,’ said Bovington. ‘Captain Ryan Murray has led us from the front and has been instrumental with his never-say-die attitude’.

Bovingdon was wise enough not to target promotion when he was appointed – the surest way to end up with egg your face – but did prioritise getting the second XV playing again. ‘One of our greatest achievements is the rebirth of the Wyverns, who have managed to play 13 games so far this season,’ said Bovingdon, ‘This assures all players have been getting regular rugby. ‘Something that is important going forward is game time for young players, and second-team matches have helped them develop. Getting up is one thing, Bovingdon knows staying up is another thing completely. Tamar Saracens are coming straight back down at the end of the season and Topsham will be joining them.

Topsham played 16 league games last season and a handful of cup matches, a full season in the Cornwall Devon Division is 26 games again plus a handful of cup matches. Thanks to the changes in competitions in format in Devon 1 and Devon 2 this season, Bovingdon feels Wessex will be better equipped for the more demanding programme ahead. We are all aware of the challenge facing us in the Cornwall Devon League and hope that the players will be available regularly and are able to travel, ‘said Bovingdon.

Playing the new Dave Butt Trophy before the league season and the Devon Junior Cup at the end of it was a well thought out by administrator’s. ‘The new format should help Devon 1 clubs adjust to the games played in Cornwall Devon. Hopefully we will be used to playing 26-plus games’