Devonport Services Rugby Football Club is an Englishrugby union team based in Plymouth, Devon. The club was originally called United Services Devonport and had their first recorded match back in 1904.[2] Devonport Services play their homes games at the Rectory Field and their strip and club colours are dark blue and red. They are currently competing in Regional 1 Tribute South West of the English rugby union league system following their promotion from South West 1 via the play-offs. At the end of season 2021–22 they were 2nd in the league and were promoted to Regional 1 South West.
Current club
Once open to the members of the British Armed Forces only, the rules were relaxed in 1994 when the youth teams joined the club, therefore allowing civilians to play alongside serving armed forces players. However, the club rules stipulate that at least 50% of the club's senior squad playing must be members of the Armed Forces - mainly from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.[3] As well as first team the club runs 2nd and 3rd teams, colts, and the occasional Vets team. There are also multiple youth teams for boys (7-16) and girls (15-18).
Inside Rectory Field, home of Devonport Services RFC.View of Rectory Field taken from outside of the ground.
History
Early beginnings
Although the beginnings of the club are hazy they were certainly established during the first decade of the 20th century. The team, then known as United Services Devonport, was initially open to officers of the British Armed Forces, with the first recorded match being on 1 October 1904 when Services played out a 2–2 draw against Plymouth RFC (a parent club of Plymouth Albion) in front of a crowd of 6,000. During the early stages of the club the team did not perform particularly well until 1912 when the club opened its playing membership to other ranks in the military and results improved dramatically.[2]
The first mention of the club using the current name of Devonport Services with any regularity was around 1910/1911, although occasionally the press covering games would call them United Services leading to a degree of confusion. In 1912 the club got given its nickname "The Sporting Blues" by the South Wales Echo who used this name as part of their headline when covering the Services game away to Swansea.[2] The Services initially played home games at Keyham, owned by the RNEC but during 1920s they moved to the Rectory Field in Devonport. The Rectory Field had previously been occupied by Devonport Albion, who were the strongest side in Devon during the early 20th century, but the ground was sold for £6,500 to the Navy in 1920. In the same year Devonport Albion merged with Plymouth RFC to form Plymouth Albion and subsequently moved to Beacon Park. In 1928 the Rectory Field was procured by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Sports Control Board who rented it out to Devonport Services who have remained there ever since.
Postwar years
During World War II the Rectory Field was destroyed by fire due to Luftwaffe bombing raids, leaving only a small section of stand considered safe enough for spectators. The post war years would see the Rectory Field rebuilt, leaving Devonport Services without a home ground for several years. By 1948 the damaged main stand was rebuilt and space for around 1,200 supporters, while additional facilities such as separate changing rooms and a bar were added and a second stand was also added - leading to the ground becoming known as the “Twickenham of the West”.[4] After being rebuilt the Rectory Field had a capacity of around 7,000 - which was the largest recorded attendance when the Combined Services played the All Blacks on the 30 November 1993.[5]
Up to present day
As well as hosting the All Blacks, the early 1990s were a successful time for the club as they won back to back league titles by winning Devon League 1 in 1992, followed by Tribute Cornwall/Devon in 1993.[6] They spent four seasons in Western Counties West before being relegated in 1999.[7] In 2003 Devonport Services won promotion by winning the Tribute Cornwall/Devon for the second time.[8] Once again they enjoyed a number of seasons in Western Counties West until 2005 when a torrid season saw the go down in last place which just one league win all season.[9] This relegation was short-lived as Services came second in Tribute Devon/Cornwall to earn promotion back to Western Counties West.[10]
Since 2005 the main stand (south stand) of the Rectory Field was closed due to safety concerns (it is made of wood and a fire hazard), leaving the current capacity at around 2,000 which includes the (still open) Luddington north stand and standing areas.[1] The stand was named after MAA Bill Luddington who won 13 England caps while with the club.
In 2020–21 the South stand was demolished.
The Chairman. Captain Ben Stafford RN.
Secretary. Lt Fraser Pearson RN.
Club captain; Charlie Rowlands-Stewart Esq.
Season 2021–22.
Ended the season in 2nd place to gain promotion to Regional 1 Tribute South West.
Green background stands for either league champions (with promotion) or cup winners. Blue background stands for promotion without winning league or losing cup finalists. Pink background stands for relegation.
Wales (14): D. Bebb, G. Bevan, J. Collins, T. Davies, C. James, B. Jones, L. Jones, D. Main, H. Mainwaring, A. Meredith, B. Meredith, M.C. Thomas, L. Williams, W. Williams
Ireland (3): W.F. Horsey-Brown, H.W.V. Stephenson, M. Sugden
Scotland (5): J. Aitkin, T. Rodd, K. Ross, G. Waddell, P. Waklastow
The Philippines: Liam 'Rufio' Williams.
Barbarians (7): M.C. Thomas, B. Gray, J. Highton, E. Hosking, SA. Lewis Jones, G. Waddell, J.K. Watkins
Youth internationals
Twelve players have gained youth international caps while at Devonport Services.[51]
95 players have gained county or representative caps while at Devonport Services.[51]
Devon (71): B. Badcock., C.A. Baker, S. Bennett, F.W. Bristow., Broome. Leading seaman, D. Brown, A.E. Carter, S. Clarke, M. Connolly., W.L. Copley, J.H. Dalyrymple, T.E. Davies, W. Davies, W.CT. Eyres, G. Fabian, E.J. Gardener, ERA. George, B.M. Gray., Sub-Lieut Hargrave, R. Hart., M. Hewitt, J. Highton., A. Higginson., R.M. Holgate.R.M., G.R. Hoskin, J. Husson, B. Jones, S. Jones, L. Kenny, J. Lane, K.A. Lavelle, T.S. Lee, Midshipman, W.M. Lowery, J. Martin, Meadows, A. Meredith, C. Miller, Lieutenant Middleditch, G. Morgan., J.K. Morrison., M.A. Pearey, B. Penfold, N. Penny, A. Pond, G. Price, F.A. Prosser, D. Pulford, G.D.O. Randel, Lieutenant Robotham, T.L. Scott, J. Shone, D.H. Smaldon, C.S. Stafford, L.S. Stovell, J.H. Tarr, D.G. Wixon
^Rectory Field ground capacity was originally 7,000 until the main stand was closed in 2005.[1]
^RFU restructuring due to the forthcoming cancellation of Courage League Division 5 lead to a shuffling of the leagues in the south-west region. This meant that 4th place Devonport were promote up into South West 2 West.
^Despite finishing 8th (out of 12 teams) Devonport Services would be relegated at the end of the 2000–01 season.
^From 2002 Devonport Services would be withdrawn from county cup competitions by the Devon RFU due to the clubs re-affiliation with the RNFU. This ban was lifted for the 2015–16 season when Devonport Services were allowed back into county cup competitions once more.[23]
^The 2010–11 season would see the introduction of bonus points into lower league English rugby union (tier 6 and below).
^Devonport exited the competition during the South West Counties semi-final, which was equivalent to the quarter-finals of the overall South West Intermediate Cup.
^The season was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom with Devonport Services sitting in 3rd, having played 19 games and gained 65 points. The remaining games were calculated on a 'best playing record formula', with Devonport Services dropping one place to 4th with 80.53 points.[50]
