Teams 
This season has been a real success for a number of reasons, with several key targets set at the beginning of the year:
Culture reset
Pulling through youth players
Promotion for the Quins
A top-half finish for the Chiefs
Culture Reset
Resetting the culture within the senior section was essential. After a difficult previous season, there was a clear need to bring the teams closer together, remove negativity, and rebuild the environment around the club.
The introduction of two former captains into the coaching setup Shaps and Loosemore, alongside the addition of a former Chiefs player Sam Griffin, played a huge role in driving standards and reconnecting players with the club’s identity. Pre-season was particularly important in setting the tone, and being able to call upon a range of professional sporting personalities helped keep numbers high, maintain enthusiasm, and create real excitement around training. It even encouraged several former players back into the game.
Promotion for the Quins
Promotion for the Quins was vital for both the present and future of the club. With a strong group of Colts progressing through over the next three years, it was important to create a competitive environment for their development.
The Merit Table simply leads to too many cancellations, whereas league rugby provides consistency, competitiveness, and the right platform for players to challenge for Chiefs positions. A huge well done must go to Benny and Danny Braddick for their efforts in getting promotion over the line. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities that league rugby will bring next season. Player of the year Freddy Palmer has done a great job at Flyhalf and most improved player went to Ethan Davies who has been a real prospect.
Pulling Through the Youth
Developing youth players continues to be one of the club’s biggest strengths, and we believe we are well ahead of the curve in this area.
No fewer than seven Colts played senior rugby this season. Harvey Beal, Sam Bola, and Harrison Rhodes all represented the Chiefs, while Dexter De Wreede, Billy Williams-Rice, Ryan Hutchings, Archie Tetley, and Dylan Rooks-Haste featured for the Quins.
The pathway has gone even deeper, with four Under-16 players stepping up to represent the Colts this year: Finn Booth, Oli Cornish, Harry Parker, and Ed Wensley all played up an age group and performed exceptionally well. With Harry Parker, Seb Cackett and John Davenport all representing DPG with the chiefs.
We also held two successful progressive fixtures this season. The first was an Under-17 match against Barnstaple, which we won comfortably, followed more recently by an Under-23 fixture away at Tavistock, where the lads produced an excellent 36–26 victory.
Chiefs Season Performance
A top-half finish was the original target for the Chiefs. Expecting an immediate promotion push after the previous season would have been unrealistic, so finishing second behind Devonport Services represents an excellent campaign overall.
We drew away and beat them at home, which highlights just how competitive the side has become again. The team made an impressive start to the season and finished strongly, with notable wins away at Exeter Saracens and at home to Honiton helping secure a strong league position.
One of the most pleasing aspects has been the performances of the younger players coming through. Alongside the Colts already mentioned, Charlie Stevenson, Mitch Harris, Jack Balsdon, Ruben Stacey, Kai Pett and Ollie Hedden all impressed throughout the season.
The return of experienced players David Evans-Pearce and stalwart Richard Weston helped balance the squad nicely, while returning player Ash Crouch added real physicality and edge to the side.
Fred Fishleigh, who deservedly won both Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year, had an outstanding season and has set a high standard to build on next year. Most Improved player of the year was Mitch Harris who has been exceptional all year despite his two serious injuries. Sam Olde taking the top points scored for the season. Looking ahead, next season will present another tough challenge. Brixham and Exmouth are both strong additions to the league, while Plymstock, who were top of the league when Bideford were struggling a couple of seasons ago, will also provide serious competition after relegation
Looking Forward
What is most important is that the newly promoted Colts have a genuine opportunity to represent their club’s first team. Unlike some clubs that rely heavily on bringing players in, we remain committed to developing talent organically from within our own ranks, supported by both returning and new players.
The coaches look forward to answering any questions at this year’s AGM and are already preparing for next season, with pre-season plans and fixtures already underway.
Bideford Colts Season 25/26 Review.
This really was a season of two halves for Bideford Colts. The existing second year colts, who had two very challenging seasons prior were merged with the incumbent year one’s who brought strong numbers and this helped forge a cohesive team. The Colts were drawn against tough teams Sidmouth, Kingsbridge, Crediton and South Molton in the Devon Merit Table campaign. They were to play these sides both home and away, the outcome of this pool would determine their overall standings before knockout placements. Despite pulling off home and away victories to South Molton, the Colts were to lose out narrowly to the other sides. Everything was there, the numbers, the attitude, commitment and determination but belief and consistency were lacking.
The new year seemed to bring fresh impetus; they had bedded in and began to believe in themselves. The Colts had found themselves in the Plate knockout stage of the Merit Table and marched into the semi final after seeing off Exeter Saracens in a stunning and dominant performance at King George’s field. To get to the Plate final would be an immense achievement but first they had to over come the odds and play Sidmouth away in the semi-final. Sidmouth had earned a home semi-final and had their eyes on the prize as they were due to host the final. In what proved to be a seminal moment Bideford, having lost twice to Sidmouth in the prelim stages, upset the applecart and took victory 15-17 to secure a Plate Final v Cullompton.
The Plate Final was paired with the Colts Cup Final with Bideford and Barnstaple finding themselves in respective finals. A great marker for North Devon and perhaps swinging the balance of South Devon Colts dominance. What a final and day Bideford had. Bideford despite going down to Cully in the first half dug deep, found that belief they had been searching for and pulled off a dramatic and memorable win. The double decker bus of players and supporters was a lively one on the return journey!
Another highlight from the season was a Good Friday fixture versus Trojan RFC from Southampton. The unbeaten Hampshire Champions were a very well drilled and large outfit. Unbeaten in tour matches they faced a defiant Bideford Colts team under the lights in front of a large buzzing Easter crowd. You could have been mistaken for thinking this was a cup final. It was simply superb culminating in a Bideford win. Trojans I sense thought they had this one in the bag. Gracious in defeat they admitted they had come up against a very good side and despite having a smattering of County and Academy players they were outperformed.
Keen to ensure the ‘Colts Bridge’ to senior rugby was established certain players stepped up. Notably skipper Ryan Hutchings, Vice-Captain Harvey Beal. Harri Rhodes, Dylan Rooks-Haste amongst others found themselves very much on the senior selector’s radars. Fresh faced Dexter De-Wreede – a year one colt and only having just turned seventeen capped a super season at 9 with a run out and try for the Quins in the Harpers Cup versus Bude.
Many Colts were selected for the most recent U23 club match v Tavistock. Gratifying to see the club sees these young players as the future.
Year one co-lead George Herridge and winger Sam Knill earned selection with Devon U17s with George securing a starting position at lock. Ten lads trialled for Devon and perhaps demonstrates the belief the coaches hold in these young players.
At the end of season dinner, the following players secured individual awards for their hard work and dedication.
Harri Rhodes – Players Player
Billy Williams-Rice – Most improved
Harvey Beal – Coaches Player
Well done to them all.
Huge thanks should go to the out-going coaches who have given so much in the development of these lads. Matt TIthecott, Jason Sussex and Jordan Taylor.
All in all, and very memorable and successful colts season. A special cohort who will live long in the memory. We look very much forward to a spectacular centenary year in 26/27.
The Ladies
Led by captain Hannah Lovering-Bright, the 2025–26 season has been one of transition and growth for the ladies’ section.
The campaign began with significant change, including the introduction of a new coaching structure during pre-season and several key players progressing to compete at a higher level. Together, these developments shaped a season focused not only on rebuilding a competitive side, but also on creating a resilient and united squad environment.
The team made a strong start in both league and cup competitions, demonstrating the quality and potential within the group. As the season progressed, however, injuries and a reduced squad placed increasing demands on those available each week. Every player who pulled on the shirt deserves enormous credit for their commitment, determination and team spirit, qualities that kept the side competitive throughout the majority of fixtures.
Despite the challenges faced, the squad secured a commendable 5th-place finish in a highly competitive NC2 league.
The ladies now break for the summer before returning for pre-season in August, ready to build on the foundations laid this year and continue progressing together.
As always a huge thanks to all the supporters and sponsors for all their help this year and we are all looking forward to next season.
