Devonport Services Rugby Club make welcome return to Devon Cup

Dan Edgecombe takes the ball forward in the Devon Cup clash V Sidmouth at the Rectory

Following a 13 year absence, Devonport Services Rugby Football Club were delighted to be invited to compete in the Devon Cup for the 2015/16 season.   In the first round match The Sporting Blues were drawn against Sidmouth.  Despite playing at home, Devonport were unable to turn this to their advantage and Sidmouth emerged the victors, winning 27-24 after a hard fought encounter that included extra time.  Sidmouth went on to play Torquay in their second round match.   

With the support of both Plymouth Rugby Combination and the Royal Navy Rugby Union, the club were keen to be re-admitted to the competition following their departure in 2002.  The departure came about when Devonport re-affiliated to the RNRU, which unfortunately led to their withdrawal from the Devon Cup.

Devon RFU are pleased to welcome Devonport Services RFC back into the competition, bringing the number of teams participating to a total of 15.   A spokesperson for Devon RFU, Geoff Simpson, said ”We are happy to announce the re-entry of Devonport Services Rugby Football Club to the Devon Intermediate Cup.  The Devon RFU competitions committee voted to remove the block - they have been rewarded for their persistence!”.

During their absence from the Devon Cup, DSRFC have continued to contribute whole-heartedly to Devon county rugby.  This has consisted of the provision of training courses, providing players at all levels, permitting other clubs to use their facilities, which now include a state of the art 3G pitch,  and also, through the Plymouth Combination, providing a member to the Devon committee.

Devonport Services Rugby Football Club is affiliated to the Royal Navy Rugby Union.  The RNRU is a constituent body of the RFU and DSRFC, along with United Services Portsmouth, are voting members.

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Image © Mike Yeats