West Buckland U14 and U15 North Devon Cup Win Crowns Great Rugby Season

12 May 2020

West Buckland School U14 and U15 teams both won the finals of the North Devon Schools Rugby Cup, marking the first time since the competition began in its current format, that both teams have been crowned champions in the same year. 

West Buckland School U14 and U15 teams both won the finals of the North Devon Schools Rugby Cup, marking the first time since the competition began in its current format, that both teams have been crowned champions in the same year. This crowns the school’s most successful rugby season for many years.

The U14 and U15 finals, which were carried over to January due to the bad weather in December, both featured West Buckland and Great Torrington School, and were closely fought, with West Buckland eventually coming out on top in both.

These victories come on the back of a very successful season for the West Buckland First XV, showing strength in depth across the school teams. The season included some notable wins including a first win against Plymouth College since 1985. Following that, three of the team, Tom Chapman, Tora Tuisasake and Josh Nalavea, were selected to play for Devon U18s a year early, as they are all currently in Year 12. Josh Nalavea has also been selected to join the prestigious Exeter Chiefs U17 Academy. During the Christmas break, Angus Bardner and Freddie Maskell were also selected to play for South West England Lambs U18s. And Josh Coe has his final trial for Devon U16s this Friday night – we wish him every success.

But success has not been limited to students themselves, with, rugby coach Alex Priest joining the Devon U15 coaching staff, which is only good news for the school. This adds to a very strong coaching team which includes ex-Welsh International Matthew Robinson.

Rugby is flying high at West Buckland and the future looks bright!