Devon Sharks
Encyclopedia
Devon Sharks are a rugby league
team based in Torquay
, Devon
. They play in the South West Division
of the Rugby League Conference
.
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. This meant a semi-final play-off against the Eagles, which Sharks lost 38-22.
Big changes happened in 2008 as the Sharks severed all ties with Newton Abbot RFC and moved across South Devon to Easterview Lane, Torquay into the first purpose rugby league pitch in the South West. Despite forming in Newton Abbot, 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. Just 10 days later again in Tiverton, Sharks lost the RLC South West Grand Final to East Devon Eagles 37-32.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team based in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. They play in the South West Division
Rugby League Conference South West Division
The Rugby League Conference South West Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain...
of the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
.
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 EaglesEast Devon Eagles
East Devon Eagles are a rugby league team based in Exmouth, Devon. They play in the South West Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
which they lost 68-0.
In 2007 Sharks joined the newly formed South West Division of the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
and it took a last ditch appeal in the local press to ensure they had enough players to meet the Somerset Vikings
Somerset Vikings
Somerset Vikings RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Somerset in England. They play in the South West Division of the Rugby League Conference.The team play at North Petherton rugby club...
in the seasons opener. The season went on to be reasonably successful for the Sharks, finishing level on points with East Devon Eagles. This meant a semi-final play-off against the Eagles, which Sharks lost 38-22.
Big changes happened in 2008 as the Sharks severed all ties with Newton Abbot RFC and moved across South Devon to Easterview Lane, Torquay into the first purpose rugby league pitch in the South West. Despite forming in Newton Abbot, the players all came from Torbay
Torbay
Torbay is an east-facing bay and natural harbour, at the western most end of Lyme Bay in the south-west of England, situated roughly midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Part of the ceremonial county of Devon, Torbay was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998...
. 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
Plymouth Titans
Plymouth Rugby League Football Club is a rugby league club based in Plymouth.The club is a member of the South West Division of the Rugby League Conference, playing home matches at Horsham Fields, Plymouth.-History of rugby league in the South West:...
at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields
The Brickfields
The Brickfields is a sports stadium in Devonport, England. It is used as the home ground of Rugby Union team Plymouth Albion of the RFU Championship, who moved there in 2003. The highest crowd was 6871, for a match against rivals Exeter Chiefs in October 2008....
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
Northampton Casuals
Northampton Demons is a rugby league club based in Northampton. They play in the Rugby League Conference.-Background - Nene Valley and Northampton Knights:...
at the Stoop
The Stoop
Twickenham Stoop is a sports stadium located in the western suburbs of London, England. The stadium is home to Harlequins rugby union team, who play in the Aviva Premiership, and tenants London Broncos, who play in the Super League...
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. Just 10 days later again in Tiverton, Sharks lost the RLC South West Grand Final to East Devon Eagles 37-32.