Continuing our series of the history of West Devon sporting clubs Times Sport turns the spotlight on North Tawton Rugby Club.

NEXT season North Tawton Rugby Club will be celebrating its 130th anniversary, having been founded in 1885. In its early years there were two teams in action — the 'Gentry' and the 'Farmers'.

In more recent years it still relied heavily on those involved in farming and local industry for its players — the start of the season was often difficult as it clashed with the harvest.

The modern club is still proud to have these links, but the occupations of members are now very varied. Another change is that members used to be mainly from the town and the surrounding villages, whereas now they come from as far away as Exeter to play.

After the Second World War the club moved to the famous sloping pitch at The Butts.

North Tawton were winners of the Devon Junior Cup for three successive seasons between 1947 and 1950 and could potentially be holders again in 2015 after a 65 year wait, when they host either Wessex or Totnes in the final on April 11.

At first changing facilities were courtesy of local pubs and even the slaughter house of Rowland's Butchery. Facilities were improved with the availability of a chalet beside the pitch and then the first clubhouse — a prefab site building, erected by members themselves.

A new era began in 1997 with the move to the current ground at Taw Meadow, thanks to the vision and hard work of a small group of club members, the generous support of a local businessman and funding from the National Lottery and loans from the Rugby Football Union.

The club now has one of the finest rugby facilities of any small club in Devon. There are three key differences to playing at Taw Meadow compared with the Butts — the pitches are flat, the clubhouse is a superb, purpose-built structure and the cattle now watch the match from behind a fence, not from the touchline.

This season has so far been a successful one for North Tawton Rugby Club. The club attracted an intake of new players in the off season, who along with the dedicated stalwarts choosing to remain with the black and golds, have conjured up a recipe for success under the coaching partnership of Simon Quick and Hammy Kerswill.

The first XV currently sit top of Devon two rugby league with a handful of games to play and have a home final in the Devon Junior Cup to look forward to.

It has also been a season that has seen the start of a reformation of the second team after a 13 year absence.

It is not only on the pitch where the club has succeeded this season; the efforts of the hard working committee have seen the pitch look pristine. It rivals that of a club much higher in prestige and the club house is a regular venue for hiring and the local community to enjoy.

The club benefits from generous local support and thoroughly appreciates the backing given to them from vice presidents and sponsors alike.

The ladies' team was established in 2002, originally in partnership with Tavistock and has been a centre for much of the girls' and ladies' rugby around the county. Despite seeing numerous ladies play for the club over the years the county as a whole has seen numbers involved in ladies' rugby decline; despite this North Tawton can still boast a successful league campaign but would welcome any players, no matter what their ability, to come and try out the sport.

Training takes place every Tuesday in season 7pm at the clubhouse with games being played on a Sunday.

For further details contact Amber Wilcox on 07708909010 or [email protected]">[email protected]

A thriving junior section has been established for some years, and is now running in partnership with Okehampton Rugby Club, playing as North Okes.

The sharing of pitches, facilities and coaching expertise has been very successful, and teams run in all age groups from U7s to U16s. This reflects the commitment to child welfare and the importance with which the club views the junior part of the game.

For details about the club see its website at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/northtawton">www.pitchero.com/clubs/northtawton or pop down to the club any Saturday or Sunday in season.

With special thanks to North Tawton Rugby Club's player/coach Marc 'Hammy' Kerswill.