Those who remember the 1991 Rugby World Cup – in England so was shown on terrestrial TV and in most pubs, including the Royal Fountain and the Kings Arms in Cleobury – may know that is how Cleobury RFC started! Following a game local youths were leaving both pubs at the same time and on the spur of the moment decided to re-enact an impromptu scrum in the middle of the road in front of the Church. The traffic stopped for a look, and I’m told even the vicar paused and watched whilst leaning over the barrier. It was such fun that a more formal game was organised between the 2-pubs, then both combined for a match against Dudley Kingswinford 3rd XV – with the famous picture taken (now on display in the Sports & Social Club).

On the 20th Anniversary season of that momentous occasion, it was proposed to re-enact that first game. On Saturday 10th September 2011 all those old players have agreed to put their creaking bodies through one more action as many of the old Dudley Kingswinford players have agreed to play the return fixture at Cleobury!

Following promotion, the 1st XV were now playing at Level-8 in the RFU structure and it was widely acknowledged that a difficult season was expected. An early narrow defeat in the 1st Round of the North Midlands Junior Vase was followed by an outstanding display at home to Wednesbury RFC on the same day as the 20th Anniversary match, an excellent start to the season. With early League points on the board the players, were encouraged. New skipper was the effervescent Hylton Smith who set out with a ‘game plan’ to avoid relegation by being determined to push teams close and pick up bonus points whenever possible. He felt this would also sustain the player’s strength of determination throughout the long winter. Although it would be nearly Christmas before another league victory, the 1st XV managed to pick up 3 of those ‘losing bonus points’ plus another ‘bonus point’ for 4-tries in a 24-33 home defeat to Handsworth RFC. In the final 2-matches before the festive season two hard fought, but narrow victories against Yardley & District RFC and Willenhall RFC meant that mid-table respectability was fully deserved. Two further wins early in the New Year meant that the team could look forward with confidence. A couple of injuries took their toll and with a small squad to choose from, some heavy defeats knocked confidence. Meanwhile other teams stepped up the pressure as the end of the season approached, there were 4-teams fighting to avoid relegation. Two of those other teams were docked points and together with two ‘bonus points’ from a couple of closer games in the second half of the season gave Cleobury 26-points and relegation was narrowly avoided

The star performer was Tom Redfern who had been itching to pull on a Cleobury shirt for real over many years as a lad and now at 17 & 18 had achieved his dream at Fly Half and controlled the game and ending the season as Top Points scorer (138-points with 2-tries, 13-conversions, 33-penalties & 1-drop goal), while David Shorter (5) was top Try Scorer, with Colin Todd, Matt Jones, Ben Howman and Zack Thompson just behind all on 4-each. Boosted by the 20th Anniversary match the 2nd XV managed 9-matches with 2-victories and 7-defeats, as Dan Shotton took over Captain duties, but many of the games were closely fought and enjoyed.

Junior training continued throughout the season but with just 2-matches before Christmas and 2-matches afterwards there was some frustration at the lack of game time. This was mainly due to lack of numbers with Football taking priority for many of the players that season. In those 4-games the Try scoring star was Harry Thomas (7), but consistency was an issue among the forwards who often faced better drilled packs and so unfortunately 3-matches were lost with one draw.