What a great morale boost we had at the weekend! As I said last week, we got a 'kicking' from Bideford when we went up there and when I watched them warming up it looked like the same personnel would be on show, so I was a tad concerned - or was I?

It was strange. Our team sheet looked good and there was a sort of air of confidence about the place. I couldn't find anyone 'mood hoovering' the notion of anything but a win.

The preparation teams were up early, hard at work all morning getting grub sorted etc. So as always big thanks to Ally, Justin and Bu*geroff who help rustle up the grub for the sponsors and also cooked a curry for the players as well!

Great to see Paul Coates down early, looking very dapper and welcoming his guests to the Ultim8 construction's luncheon and I must say it was just a great atmosphere from the off.

Big thanks to Paul and his guests for their very generous support and donations, plus the extra numbers shouting on the line helped with the win as well.

We scored two tries in the first five minutes and whilst it wasn't all plain sailing we kept our noses in front and 'done 'em over.'

Highlight for many was Will Goulden smashing through a hapless defender to score in club house corner.

So, big thanks to all who turned up and unless anyone can correct me on this one - which I doubt - I don't think we have ever beaten them at home at first team level. So more 'hurrahing' all-round.

News got better as the Otters (our Two's) thrashed their second team as well and Robbie, their manager, was singing the praises of the youngsters, who were interspersed amongst the old heads.

Isn't that how it's supposed to be? We scored a bucket-full of tries, so all in all a good day out and it also meant the beer was flowing with many a smiling face!

The pitches did cut up a bit, but seemed OK for the Sunday games.

Unfortunately, I didn't take into account the very heavy overnight rain and didn't realise it had been torrential most of the night.

Maybe we should have called it off but hey ho, we didn't and this meant the Tigers (U13's) game went ahead, but in very muddy conditions.

They had a close game in the slog, winning by 7-6 - a tough encounter. Pitch was a bit of a mess afterwards but, never mind! I'll wing it with my council chums.

The Hawks (under 11's) were the only other team in action down at Paignton. Their encounter was also played in very muddy conditions and whilst the score was close (8-7), they were always ahead.

This result meant we had a clean sweep at the weekend so a big hurrah to all of the club.

Then there was England! How disappointing was that?

Way too many mistakes and on small margins. I must say though, moaning a bit, wasn't that a forward pass for the first try and didn't that ball come off the French blokes arm for the second?

TMO got it wrong!

Mind, the French looked good for once. Lick wounds and let's get back on the 'orse and fire into them Celts on Saturday!

Now a bit of news; the council repaired the locks that were smashed by the 'oiks' last weekend and when I went up early on Saturday to open up for our visitors, they'd tried to break in again!

There were boot marks half way up the doors as they'd tried to kick them in again. Thankfully they'd held firm but why oh why do they keep doing it?

Ok, on to this weekend. Firstly on Friday, Clare is welcoming the Makaton singers for a jamming session in the evening.

On Saturday, the Otters were supposed to hold court at the fortress, entertaining North Tawton but once again the opposition can't raise a side, which really isn't on! We went there and they have to honour their fixtures. We now can't get another fixture - extremely frustrating!

The One's go over the Somerset border for a keenly awaited rematch and if you watch the game earlier in the year at Tonsville, you will recall we lost in a match - snatched from us from the jaws of victory! We owe them one! Why not pop over before the gale starts?

As just mentioned, I'm a tad concerned by the weather reports for Saturday night and that means the boys games on Sunday may also be subject to cancelation.

Frankly, it's just so boring and I for one am a bit fed up with being beholden to the blinkin' weather gods! Anyway, the plan is: 14's, 12's and 10's at home to Sarries and the 13's, 11's, 9's 8's and 7's are all on the road down to the Exeter arena for the away games, which are also against Sarries.

That's about it for this week. Don't forget, any bargains you see that can help the Ton's massive, or if you have some time you can give are all welcome at the Ton.