OKEHAMPTON Rugby Club has much to look forward to in the 2015-2016 season.

Overall the playing side of the club had a fairly successful 2014-15 season.

The first XV had mixed fortunes during the season and finished mid-table in the Western Counties (West) League, similar to the previous season.

The second XV started slowly in Devon Merit one but improved over the season to consolidate their position in this competitive league. The Okehampton Colts faced strong opposition and only narrowly missed out in a place in the league final.

Club secretary Dave Potter said: ’The club is looking forward to a great season ahead. With coach Gaz Evans and captain Tom Powell in charge for the second season the club is looking to improve on the performance of the past two years.

‘The squad is looking strong and have been training hard to build fitness and improve skills. Hopefully the strong setup at Okehampton will attract more players to the club.’

There is a pre-season game on Saturday, August 29, when there will be a trial game at home. The league season starts in earnest on Saturday, September 5, when the first XV is at home to Penryn, while the second XV season starts on Saturday, September 12, at home to Exmouth. Kick off times will be 3pm until the clocks change in October.

The club has been searching for additional playing surfaces to augment the two main pitches at Oaklands and land has now been acquired at Hilltown Cross.

The two main pitches have been under such pressure in recent years with a lot of senior and junior rugby to be played and additional pitches have become essential to the club’s development.

The club is now working on plans to improve the main pitches and develop the Hilltown site.

The plans will be presented to club members and other interested parties in a club meeting to be held towards the end of September.