Sport

Greg Bateman believes the battle for a starting spot in the Exeter Chiefs starting XV is helping to bring the best out in everyone at the Devon club. Fresh from making his competitive debut for Rob Baxter's side in their 19-4 LV= Cup win at home to holders Harlequins, the 24-year-old forward is now hoping to plot the downfall of rivals Bath in the same competition at the Recreation Ground this Sunday (1pm). However, that will be no formality as not only will the home side be looking to build on their own cup victory at Sale Sharks a week ago, but at the same time maintain their unbeaten...

Exeter City FC will be celebrating the role of women and girls in football at its specially designated One Game One Community (OGOC) home game against Burton Albion (Saturday 26 October).

Each season the Supporters’ Trust-backed Exeter City OGOC group organise a match with an equality and diversity theme. Previous events have put the spotlight on issues including racism, homophobia and disability. This year the focus is on promoting female participation in football.

The choice has been applauded by City’s new OGOC Ambassador, first team goalkeeper Artur Krysiak.

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Now in its 100th anniversary year, and with a promotion to the national league recently under its belt, Isca Hockey Club completes a hat-trick of achievements for 2013 with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship deal with Exeter-based solicitors Gilbert Stephens LLP.

And with the big ‘Derby Day’ event taking place at Exeter University Sports Park on 26 October – at which the Isca Ladies’ 1st XI will play local side Exe in the Women's Investec National League followed by an evening match between the Men's 1st XI against the University 1st XI in the Now: Pensions National...

Last week saw the launch of Back to Hockey by Exe Hockey Club – a new nationwide programme set to attract over 15,000 women back to one of the UK’s most popular Olympic sports.

Hosted at Exe Hockey Club’s home pitch of St Peter’s High School, Exeter the informal sessions are aimed at women who are looking for a great way to stay in shape and have some fun in a team environment without needing to commit to ongoing club membership, regular training and competition schedules.

The campaign is backed by the England Hockey Board (EHB), the sport’s official National Governing Body...

Local voluntary support agency Exeter CVS are teaming up with Exeter City FC and the British Council to offer free Active Citizens training to the city’s young people, with an unusual twist.

The 5-day course in November will show learners aged 18-25 how they can engage in social action: making a difference through volunteering, campaigning, or engaging with authorities to improve services and make change. The course provides support to develop and conduct projects on a local, national and international level; following the programme’s premise –“Globally connected, locally engaged...

Exeter Chiefs 30 London Wasps 26

Report by Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs are up and running following their home win over London Wasps, but head coach Rob Baxter knows his side will have to do better if they want to be in and around the top end of the Aviva Premiership.

After losing their opening fixture of the season at Northampton Saints, the Chiefs responded in fine fashion at Sandy Park as tries from Tom James (2) and James Scaysbrook, together with 15 points from the boot of Gareth Steenson proved enough to condemn Wasps to a second successive defeat.

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Over 60 guests joined Brewin Dolphin Exeter and Chartered Accountants Francis Clark at a charity Cricket Match at Sidmouth Cricket Club, in aid of their joint charity of the year; The Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education.

Guests enjoyed a BBQ and a cask of ale, donated by Otter Brewery and sold for the charity, while they watched the two teams from Brewin Dolphin and Francis Clark compete on the field. There was a charity raffle on the evening with the whole event raising over £500 for the charity.

Exeter is fielding no fewer than six teams in the finals of the Blackthorn British Skittles Championships next week in Torquay (Saturday 21 September). And in something of a record, four of the teams come from the same home alley at St Thomas Social Club.

In the men’s competition, the Allstars, Heavitree Heroes, Two Tribes and the Saints will be fighting it out for top honours. Meanwhile the pressure in the ladies’ competition falls on the Hustlers and the Sinners, who were ladies’ champions in 2011.

Dave Rowe, team secretary of the Saints and Sinners, confessed that his...

In a follow up to a survey conducted in the wake of the 2012 London Paralympics, a new survey by disability charity Vitalise one year on from the Games has found that the feel-good factor is flagging and urgent work is needed to sustain the legacy of the Games.

Despite hopes that the Games would change attitudes, improve understanding and lead to greater inclusion of people with disabilities in society, Vitalise's study has found that 6 out of 10 (59%) people with disabilities say there has been no perceptible change to their lives one year on from the Games, increasing from 40%...