VICTORY at Crediton United on Tuesday, April 21, confirmed Bovey Tracey AFC as the SW Peninsula League Premier East champions for 2025/26.

They have since rounded out the league campaign with two more wins, beating Teignmouth AFC and then coming from behind to defeat Ilminster Town at the Western Counties Roofing Ground on Saturday 25th.

Bovey “didn’t get going at all” in the eyes of manager Ben Gerring in the Saturday sunshine and found themselves a goal behind after 15 minutes. Goalkeeper Dom Aplin got a hand to Taylor Jefferson’s bicycle-kick effort but couldn’t keep it out of the net.

At the other end of the field, the likes of Cal Leech and Lewis Perring had ballooned over half-chances with the hosts struggling to gel in the final third.

There was plenty of work to be done at the turnaround with Bovey being “massively caught cold.”

Understandably so for Gerring, “We had to change a few things at half-time. It wasn’t a rollicking by any stretch, just a little reminder that we need to play and act like champions.”

Stuart Bowker replaced Cieran Bridger for the second half and while “It wasn’t a championship-winning performance” to this point, Bovey certainly found their feet when shooting towards the Town End.

The experienced Bowker made an instant impact, firing the ball across the area for fellow forward Levi Landricombe who couldn’t quite convert the chance.

Given his recent form though, Landricombe wasn’t going to be kept waiting much longer and this time it was Jack Brimming who showed great feet before putting it on a plate for the division’s golden boot winner.

One quickly became two and it was Landricombe finding the back of the net again, orchestrating the turnaround for Bovey.

He came close to completing the hat-trick only for his bending effort from a free-kick to be saved well by the Ilminster shot-stopper. This proved to be his final chance at a third with Gerring sending on Ollie Aplin in his place.

The Moorlanders were in a flow state at this point and Leech was integral in their third goal. Not only did he win the ball back well but he then slid in Louie Roberts whose shot was parried into the path of Bowker- he couldn’t miss and he didn’t!

Owen Stockton was a whisker away from heading Josh Webber’s in-swinging set-piece home and with his side now in the driving seat, Gerring could turn to his bench once more.

Alex Gray replaced Leech first and then shortly after, “Mr. Bovey himself” Cliff Walters was given an impromptu guard of honour by his teammates as he left the Mill Marsh Park turf for the final time, David Rowe going on in his place.

It truly was game over when the fourth goal went in, Bowker making all the difference in the buildup play once more. His layoff set Gray on his way and with plenty of space on the edge of the area, the midfielder picked out the bottom corner.

“We blew them away in the second half,” said Gerring.

He continued, “All we ask for is if plan A doesn’t work, then we go to plan B and that’s just where we’re at this year. We’ve got the talent in this squad to give the game whatever he needs.”

The Bovey boss also spoke of being “really pleased with Ilminster’s approach.

“How many times have you seen a game like this look like pre-season and just letting it fizzle out?”

Following the final whistle, the Bovey players and staff went into the changing room and then came back out sporting matching champions t-shirts.

Amidst the champagne and celebrations, departing skipper Cliff Walters described the afternoon and the whole season as “really special.”

For him personally, “It’s the perfect ending” and “Everyone involved with this club has deserved it for years and years so to be able to give it to them is brilliant.”

Gerring shared his captain’s elation, with a big smile on his face he spoke of being “dead proud” of every single individual involved.

“This is what we set out to do from minute one and I’m so glad to have got over the line. The hours that everyone has put in behind the scenes are crazy and this is a just reward, it is an amazing feeling.”

Bovey Tracey will “enjoy every second of the celebrations” before they go again for the first of two cup finals on Tuesday evening (Apr 28), with a treble in their sights.

They take on Liskeard Athletic in the Champions Bowl at the home of Callington Town and then eight days later (Wednesday, May 6), they cross paths with Holsworthy at Coach Road, battling it out for the St Luke’s Challenge Cup crown.