WELCOME We are delighted to welcome Morley back to Acklam Park. Over the years we have enjoyed many a battle, but their last visit was three years ago, when we kicked off the season in National 3 North by beating them 20-10. That scoreline did not foretell the rest of the season. It
proved to be one of only three defeats suffered by Morley all season as they swept all before them to finish top of the table with 102 points and gain promotion whilst we went on to finish in sixth place. Unfortunately our visitors’ success was short-lived as they crashed to consecutive relegations to be with us today.

However this season, intent on correcting this mini slide, Morley are one of three clubs behind unbeaten leaders Wheatley Hills to have lost only once this campaign, and that was at home to O Crossleyans in their second outing. Curiously our visitors are the only side in our league with no bonus points. In fact all their games have been closely fought affairs, with their biggest margins of victory being 14 points against Pocklington and 13 at Morpeth; wins over Sheffield and Malton & Norton were by 2 points and then last week, at home to Beverley, they were 9-0 up at half time but 9-12 down with 10 minutes remaining. Two penalties, the second in added time,gave them victory by three points. I wouldn't be disappointed if today's game is close, provided we finish ahead, even by one point!

TEAM NEWS Director of Rugby Bernie Coyne is effusive in his praise of the coaches, captains and team managers – and Eddie Scott! – for their efforts and commitment they’ve shown this season. And he has every right to be chuffed. He has given me a list of 21 players who have turned out for the 1st or 2nd team this season but who are not available this week, the majority through injury, and yet we will still turn out four sides – and we fielded five sides a couple of weeks ago. So how does one judge success? Although the 1st XV have won only once this campaign, their performances are certainly improving, and he is sure, as am I, that everything will come good as the season progresses and players return from injury. Below first team the Wasps are playing good rugby, and winning (they played some scintillating rugby last week to beat a good Novocastrians side by 34 points to 16 – they were Old Novos in my day!), the ‘A’ team are top of the TV Merit Table, the Lions have lost only once in five outings, and the Extra ‘B’s (the Tigers?) are gearing up for a few more games this term. This at a time when many clubs – Durham City and Wheatley Hills, to name but two – are struggling to turn out two teams. This season, starting way back in July, there are many more players training regularly than for many a long year. He won’t thank me for saying so, but some of this success is down to Bernie himself. He has made it his business to get in touch with many former players, including ex-Colts, to offer them a warm welcome to return, and to assure them that the Club will take an active interest in them and their welfare. Well done Bernie.

Turning to the 1st XV, our last home match saw Beverley with their usual bevy of Pacific Islanders. Their backs proved just too strong for us and they played a fast fluid game but for all that for much of the second half we held territorial advantage and we played some of our best rugby this season. We were 10-0 ahead after six minutes after Jack kicked a penalty and added a good conversion when Josh scored, but the Beverley soon got on top and led 17-13 at half-time then added two converted tries before the returning Simo broke from halfway to score a great individual try. Unfortunately despite playing on Paul Norris fractured an eye socket and a cheekbone and will be out for some time.

We followed this with a trip to leaders Wheatley Hill, where we were well beaten up front. It was a bad-tempered match, which culminated in Craig being sent off along with their No 8 following a brawl 15 minutes from time. We made a good start and a Simo break led to Jack going down the middle to score. Simo converted for a 7-0 lead but by half-time it was 22-7 and the hosts added two more converted tries before Rhys scored his first try for us following a break by Bellers.

And a word about our Colts. I cannot remember them not fulfilling a fixture; I can remember many other sides calling off fixtures against them. I’m told that from the 124-odd clubs in Yorkshire only 20 or so run colts sides. Anyway the Colts did play on Sunday and had a fine win against York, as reported in this issue by Terry Fitzpatrick.

JUNIORS It was certainly ‘Stunning Sunday’ last week. What a fantastic set of results for our youngsters. The U13s won a great game at Durham by the closest of margins, 22-21, whilst the U16s also played Durham, but at home, and won rather more comfortably by 41 points to 7. The U14s were on Yorkshire Cup duty at home to Selby, a side they’d not previously met and therefore an unknown quantity. It turned out to be another close run affair but a victory by 17-12, although there was a heart-stopping moment at the end of the game when the huge Selby back charged to our line but then knocked on as he was about to score. Jason Malcolm’s report is in this issue. And what can I say about our U15s? They continued their great season with two more simultaneous victories, 76-0 at home to Darlington Mowden Park and 55-14 at Stockton. Wonderful stuff!

On the subject of Juniors can I offer our heartfelt gratitude to the local Fire Service for coming to our rescue the previous week. Our U16s were hosts to Billingham when one of the Billingham lads suffered a ‘tib-and fib’ fracture. He was in some pain and in a state of shock but with no sign of an ambulance one of the parents who is a fire fighter telephoned the local station to see if they could help. They certainly did. They turned up, gave the lad gas and air and then took him to hospital. An ambulance arrived just as they were about to leave.
(Apparently there was a backlog at A&E, and the ambulances couldn’t offload their patients.) NB If you can officiate at a Sunday morning game please text John O’Boyle on 07935 273584.

CLUB NEWS First, best wishes to Vaughan Stone for a speedy recovery. Next, I am pleased to report that the Wine & Cheese Evening was the most successful yet with lots of sore heads on Sunday morning. But what about Mike Wright’s solo dancing exhibition? But don’t ask him to do it again – he can’t remember what he did (or even doing it). And now a break with tradition; the world-famous 4th Annual Acklam Park Pie Baking Competition will be held on a Wednesday this year, 19 December. Start scouring the recipe books. See p20 for other events.
BREAKING NEWS: Newcastle Falcons will play Leicester Tigers in an U18 league match here at Acklam Park on Sunday 13 January. Make a note now!

SPONSORS Today We are delighted to welcome back as sponsors James Barker of Barker and Stonehouse, purveyors of a quite exceptional range of quality furniture and furnishings, and Charles Clinkard of the Charles Clinkard Group, suppliers of fine footwear for all the family. We are grateful that two of the region’s most respected family-run businesses have joined us today and we thank the companies for their continued support, which is very much appreciated. We hope that Charles and James, and their guests, enjoy their afternoon with us.

REFEREE’S CORNER I am delighted to welcome the returning Simon Lazenby, who was last here three years ago when we played Old Crossleyans in the Intermediate Cup; he has also refereed us against Liverpool St Helens and Huddersfield in league matches and Aspatria in the IC. Simon hails from Cranswick, Driffield and played fly-half and inside centre for his hometown club. Although he did play against us in the Paul Hodder era it was always at Driffield; he never did get to play here. Simon has been refereeing for ten years, something he does, he says, to keep fit. He is a family man who owns a window-fitting company. I hope he enjoys his time with us this afternoon.