Teignmouth toast to the Simmonds
The Simmonds brothers had the whole of Teignmouth RFC toasting them on Saturday night — and helped the club make £1,500 behind the bar after exeter’s european triumph. Captain Joe, 23, lifted the trophy six years after secretly running out for his home club’s first-team. And Sam, 25, is now european Player of the Year having started his rugby career on the Devon coast, too. The pair’s exploits at Ashton Gate had all at Bitton Park roaring and chairman Russell Sowden spoke of his pride in the Teignmouth tyros. ‘We were at our maximum capacity with all the Covid controls, so had 55 people in the clubhouse, and it was absolutely manic,’ said Sowden. ‘We managed to take £1,500 over the bar on Saturday, which helps in these times. Unfortunately we had to kick everyone out at 10pm, but we will have a proper celebration with them soon! ‘Some of the boys who know him well put a load of posters up of Sam and Joe together in different eras, and one of them with their dad, David. ‘We had a Simmonds-themed day and it was mad — particularly when Joe decided to take that penalty at the end. I was there thinking, “Go for touch and run the clock down!” but he went for it and backed himself. We’re all made up for them.’ Teignmouth can now say they have developed two european Cup winners and are in celebratory mood. ‘We managed to get Joe to play senior rugby for us for two seasons without exeter realising,’ revealed Sowden. ‘he was 17. As soon as we could get him in, we did. he was absolutely class. ‘The Chiefs have built such a good relationship with the local clubs — it’s great how they back us. We support them by giving them our top talent! ‘All of this coming so early, so young for them, and seeing Sam so happy for his brother is brilliant to see. ‘Any opportunity when they’re not playing and we’ve got senior rugby on, they come down. They come to junior prize-givings and are very generous with their time.’ But once hangovers are shaken off, it’s time for round two. Teignmouth RFC is already fully booked for it — this Saturday’s Premiership final against Wasps — as they look for their boys to complete the Double.