WELCOME At the third time of asking, I am delighted to welcome back to Acklam Park our opponents from Doncaster, Wheatley Hills, and all you doubters who thought this fixture would ever be fulfilled! Although the snow through the week raised renewed concerns about the match,
here we are, ready to enjoy an afternoon of fine rugby before recharging our glasses and settling to watch the Wales/England finale to the Six Nations.

We had a real ding-dong contest with our visitors last season as we vied for supremacy in the higher reaches of the league. In the end, despite beating our visitors at home (28-5) and away (22-18) we finished one point behind them in fourth place as they just failed to make the promotion play-offs. This season is just a little different. Whilst we have not sustained our challenge Wheatley certainly have. Until the end of November eleven consecutive wins put them at the top of the table, but only one point ahead of Beverley, who then beat our visitors 54-17 to take over the lead,a position they have certainly consolidated. Wheatley then suffered a second loss at Morley
before getting back to winning ways against Durham City. Surprisingly they then lost 17-12 at Darlington. They followed this with a good win at home to Northern and a victory at Keighley before losing 13-17 at home to Sheffield, which dropped them to third, exchanging places with
Morley. However a sterling 33-28 victory at O Crossleyans, saw Wheatley Hills regain that second spot, followed by a home win against Morpeth but losing 17-12 at Pocklington last week.In the meantime Sheffield have taken over second place in the table, although Wheatley are only two points behind with today’s game in hand.

TEAM NEWS Last week, against a backdrop of dull wet weather, and on a sodden pitch with standing water in places after two days of rain, our valiant warriors provided a sparkling display of rugby to really brighten up a horrible grey afternoon. What a pity the miserable conditions kept the crowd on the small side. Those who decided against venturing out missed what was undoubtedly our best performance of the season. Time after time we forged up the park putting Old Crossleyans on the back foot, scoring seven tries in the process. Although the weather provided plenty of excuses for knock-ons, fumbles and dropped passes they didn’t happen - when the ball was flung around it stuck like glue to cold wet hands. It was a truly wonderful game.

Our visitors arrived with only 16 players (their officials expressed jaw-dropping surprise that we can turn out five sides) and it wasn’t long before we were on the score board. We were 12-0 up in the first quarter, courtesy of a brace of tries from the forwards, touched down by Frenchy, with one converted by Connor Foley. Lewis Macsween then skipped through for our third try before Crocks pulled one back right on half time to make the score 17-5. The question on everyone’s lips was - could we seal victory, and could we add that bonus-point try for a five point win? In fact the outcome was never in doubt. Immediately after the restart good handling pushed us deep into the Crock half and was finished off by Mike Thornburn for that fourth try, with others added, one by Wrighty when he nipped around the side of a scrum, the next by Benn Horton (who had a great all-round game) after he sprinted 15m to score under the posts, and finally a second for Wrighty from a quickly taken penalty. Simon converted these last two to complete a most satisfying afternoon for the team. Incidentally the Yorkshire Post reported that the conditions favoured our ‘monster pack’…or was that ‘pack of monsters’? Just a little exaggerated, although Dave Hinchley did rule the line-out.

Elsewhere I have to admit being doubly surprised, first to discover that Darlington were unable to field a team to travel to Morley, and therefore will incur a second points deduction of the season which almost certainly confirms their relegation, along with Durham City. Earlier in the week they were even expressing doubts as to whether or not they would be able to fulfil the fixture today. We will soon know the answer. The second surprise was Keighley not only winning at Malton & Norton but securing a bonus point to boot. As a result the only change in our respective positions is that at 3pm today we have a superior points difference. Keighley have a home game against Beverley next week, followed by a trip to Morley, than a home game against Cleckheaton and finally an away match at Durham City. Nervous times!

We expected three games at home last week. In addition to the 1st XV the Wasps were due to entertain Gosforth with the Lions hosting to Darlington IIIs, whilst the ‘A’ team were at Darlington IIs. However during the week Gosforth and Darlington IIIs cried off. Darlington’s decision was not altogether unexpected as they couldn’t field a second team to meet our third team the week previous. Eddie Scott worked his magic and sorted out rearranged fixtures, but unfortunately both were away. The Wasps hopped over the fence to Acklam and the Lions played a league game at West Hartlepool. But on the day Darlington’s pitches were waterlogged so the ‘A’ team fixture was swapped to Acklam Park! With our second pitch looking in good nick Ross McNeill scorched over for a hat trick of tries as the ‘A’s ran out 51-7 winners. Our travellers returned with mixed fortunes; the Wasps won 17-0, thus preserving their unbeaten record since mid-October, but the Lions lost 35-7. Remember our Colts host Heath (second in the Premier Division!) in the Yorkshire Plate next Sunday.

CLUB NEWS Don’t forget that our Members Reunion Luncheon will take place on Saturday 6 April, 12.30 for 1.00pm, before we play Morpeth at 3.00pm. Tickets are £15 and include entry to the match. Please let Club President Stu Micklewright know if you are attending (tel:01642 327382/07909 744114, email: l.micklewright@ntlworld.com)

In a similar vein, please make a note that our Annual Dinner and Players Presentation Evening will be held at the Sporting Lodge on Friday 10 May. The format will be a little different this year, with a main speaker to entertain us before we launch into a truncated version of the Awards, leaving enough time to sink a few..er..refreshers.

And another reminder that two days later the “Cock-o-the-North” U19 Challenge Finals Day, organised by the North West Colts League and usually held across the Pennines will take place here at Acklam Park on Sunday 12 May 2013, when four senior colts’ finals will be held. Make a note in your diary to enjoy what will be a carnival atmosphere.

REFEREE’S CORNER I am delighted to welcome Revis Phillips back to Acklam Park, a referee who is not only well known to us but is also very well respected. He has left the national panel of referees and is now firmly concentrating on his local links with Yorkshire; he was here quite recently, taking charge of our game against Cleckheaton at the end of October. Revis is a Child Protection Officer with Cleveland Police.

AND FINALLY – COME ON ENGLAND, YOU CAN DO IT!!