This period of success came to an end when Barnstaple suffered consecutive relegations to fall to the lowest level in the club's history so far, dropping to Western Counties West (tier 7) by 2005.

This climb back up the leagues also coincided with repeated Devon Cup success, with four titles won in a row between 2008 and 2011.

[2] In 2016–17 Barnstaple finished 14th of 16 teams in the division, but were reprieved from relegation by the collapse of London Welsh in the RFU Championship.

A lack of try bonus points proved costly, as did the home defeats to Cinderford and Chinnor, who finished first and second in the league respectively.

[6] Barnstaple did lift silverware this season however, winning the Devon Cup final at home against Exmouth thanks in part to hat tricks from Winston James and Will Topps.

Barnstaple were also top of the Devon Senior Cup standings and in prime position to secure a second successive home final at the time of the suspension.

In 2023-24 Barnstaple came up short in their quest for promotion back to the national league, finishing the season in 2nd place in Tribute Regional 1 South West, the fifth tier of English rugby.

However, the season ended on a high note, with the 1st XV reaching the final of the Papa Johns National Cup, contested by the best teams playing at Level 5 of the pyramid.

[8] The final was a thrilling game, ending 35-35, with opponents Heath RUFC, from Yorkshire, winning on try count back.

This capacity figure is representative of the sell-out crowd experienced against local rivals Bideford Rugby Football Club in the 2016 festive fixture between the two sides.