The beauty of sport is that it can be amazing, but then can also be devastating, all in a space of a short space of time. So take yesterday as a classic example. 15-0 up after 39 minutes, and then held up over the try line, under the sticks, with the final play of the half. Should it have become 22-0 ... Very few sides would have recovered.

Barnes recover and throw everything at us, and like the change in the weather, our positive mindset reduced, we forget how to attack, and we try to cling on. Starring down the barrel, at 15-19, the true character of the team shine through and we smash home a rolling maul ... Bang ... (Or 'Bangers' if you are Isaac) we are back in the driving seat. What happens next ... Well ... We win a penalty, and think it is game over! We kick for touch and the ref says there is still time left. If we win the line out, we get promoted to National Two!! Line out not straight ... Final play and a scrum, for which we then give away a penalty. The rest is history, and one that I would rather not dwell on at this stage.

It would be pertinent at this point to congratulate Barnes on their promotion. They showed an unbelievable 'bounce backability' and we wish them well on their return to National Two. The contest itself was watched by what seemed like over a thousand people, and the ground was absolutely rammed with local rugby fans supporting Devon rugby. The club itself showed how good we can be off the field, and we can all learn lessons on how we can stage events and market games to maximise crowds and build a better spectator base, for what is a very good standard of rugby. The club management need applauding for their monumental efforts yesterday, thank you!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players for what has been a remarkable season. Their efforts, enthusiasm, training ethic and team unity has been remarkable. We have demonstrated that if we all stick together, we can achieve great things. After our relegation the previous year, it would have been easy to implode, but this group of players have shown fantastic mental strength and togetherness.

Like all teams at the end of the season, there will be a few departures, and one or two additions. We will look, as always, to promote young talent that has come through the Cockles youth section, and offer competitive rugby at national league level to some local players who we feel will benefit from the exposure to such a level. We will never have the budgets of some of our rivals, but this Exmouth squad is based on togetherness and team spirit which is absolutely priceless, and for which money cannot buy. The cultural architects of the likes of Bentley, Emery, Harris, Wathes and Bargent have ensured that we achieve over and above what people see on paper and this is the way that Exmouth RFC will always be.

We welcome Ivybridge into National Three next season to add yet another local derby, and our travel will be considerably less with both Dings and Lydney relegated from National Two. So it's time to re-group, re-gather our thoughts and consider how to gain another 10% from all of our club and team processes.

Yours in Exmouth Rugby

Jon