Devon Sharks

Devon Sharks
Club information
Full name Devon Sharks RLFC
Website www.devonsharksrl.co.uk
Colours Navy blue and white hoops
Founded 2006 (2006)
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Windmill Hill, Torquay
Competition South West Rugby League

Devon Sharks are a rugby league team based in Torquay, Devon. They play in the South West Rugby League.

History

Devon Sharks were formed in 2006 out of Newton Abbot RFC as part of an initiative from the Rugby Football League to form new clubs for the Rugby League Conference. They were based at the All Whites Rackerhayes home. That first year for Sharks was difficult as they only ever had eleven players to call upon. Their first game was against East Devon Eagles which they lost 68-0.

In 2007 Sharks joined the newly formed South West Division of the Rugby League Conference and it took a last-ditch appeal in the local press to ensure they had enough players to meet the Somerset Vikings in the seasons opener. The season went on to be reasonably successful for the Sharks, finishing level on points with East Devon Eagles. Sharks lost to Plymouth Titans in the final.

Big changes happened in 2008 as the Sharks severed all ties with Newton Abbot RFC and moved across South Devon to Easterfield Lane, Torquay into the first purpose rugby league pitch in the South West. Despite forming in Newton Abbot, the majority of the players all came from Torbay. Results were not what was expected and the Sharks missed out on the play-offs. Devon Sharks were involved in a game that was played on the biggest stage rugby league had ever been played on in the South West, when they travelled to take on Plymouth Titans at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields home. After dominating the first hour, Sharks ran out of steam and conceded a number of tries in the final twenty minutes of the game, going down 42-22.

In 2009, Devon Sharks were champions of the RLC South West and went on to meet Northampton Casuals at the Stoop in the national semi-finals.

In 2010, Devon Sharks won the South West Cup beating Somerset Vikings 54-6 in the final held at Tiverton Rugby Club. Just 10 days later again in Tiverton, Sharks lost the RLC South West Grand Final to East Devon Eagles 37-32. In 2010, they notched their largest defeat inflicted on an opponent by trouncing North Devon Raiders 104 – 24.

In 2011 Devon Sharks made the play-offs

In 2012 Devon Sharks were Champions of the RLC South West beating North Devon Raiders.

In 2013 Devon Sharks entered into a partnership with Prostate Cancer UK and went on to become Champions of the South West for the third time. Sharks also lost in very closely thought game v Cornish Rebels in the SW Cup.

Club honours

External links

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