SOUTH-WEST CHAMPIONS

SOUTH-WEST PREMIER

BARNSTAPLE

Captain Winston James Coaches Jeremy Chugg (DoR), Bryn Jenkins (head-forwards), Pat McManus (backs), Jordan Petherbridge (backs), Verity White (manager) No strangers to National Two South, Barnstaple are returning there after two seasons’ absence having lost at Westcliff in a promotion play-off last year. They made no mistake this time, finishing ahead of Weston-super-Mare after winning 16 out of 21 games.

Flanker James, 28, made a major contribution with 16 tries, including three hat-tricks. He’s been at Barum for 17 years, became their youngest captain in 2012 and is now their longest-serving one. Fly-half Haydn Lidstone and Kyran McManus, son of coach Pat, shared the goalkicking while Chugg and White also helped to make this triumph possible.

SOUTH-WEST ONE EAST

OLD CENTRALIANS

Captain Sam Preece Coaches Jack Preece (head), Rob Winchle (player) Gloucester-based Centralians were beaten 39-24 at home by eventual runners-up Royal Wootton Bassett on the first day of the season but won 19 of their next 21 matches. The side had an average age in the mid-20s and included an even blend of home-grown players and those recruited from other clubs in a rugby hotbed. Centre Winchle set an example by combining coaching duties with scoring 17 tries while fly-half Harry Preece, one of three cousins aiding the club’s success, scored 179 points.

SOUTH-WEST ONE WEST

HORNETS

Joe Gadd, Matt Parker Ian Humphris (DoR), Jon Richardson (head), Rob Dempsey (backs), Paul Sheppard, Mark Millman (assistants), Kelcey Venn (manager) Hard, aggressive rugby played at pace and the ability to strike from anywhere on the pitch brought Hornets 15 wins and a draw in 20 matches. They will return to South-West Premier from which they were relegated two years ago. Devonport Services were long-term leaders but Hornets hit the top in February and later beat Services 38-10.