WELCOME We are delighted to welcome Malton & Norton back to Acklam Park for their second season in N1E. They kicked off this campaign with a trip to Morpeth, where they lost 23-6 (the same Morpeth who conceded 77 points at Beverley last week) followed with a home game against Pocklington, when they succeeded in doing what we singularly failed to do against the same opponents, beat them! Both side scored a couple of tries, but the deciding factor was the kicking of Ali Heard, who landed five penalties and a conversion; the score was 27-21.

Last season was the first time we’d entertained Malton & Norton, having met only twice previously at Malton in the National Intermediate Cup. In 2003 we scored five tries in winning 27-24, although we were pleased to hear the final whistle. We were ahead 27-3 with 10 minutes to go but our opponents scored three goals before no-side. We had Brad in the sin bin at the time but it was a nail-biting last few minutes. Our meeting two years later wasn’t nearly as exciting. We won 8-0 with a first half penalty and a second half try.

Last season, at home in our first ever league meeting, we trailed 3-13 early in the game but roused ourselves to score five tries, adding two penalties and a conversion to make the final score 33-13. Malton played some good rugby and when we were behind by 10 points the outcome looked ominous, but in the end we were good value for our victory. In the return fixture we suffered an agonising last minute defeat. We played well to lead 24-3 at half time, with three tries, a drop goal and three conversions. But ten minutes into the second half the speedy home backs enjoyed a purple patch with three converted tries in eight minutes to draw level. We got back on top, had a good try disallowed before 20 minutes of pressure was finally rewarded with another penalty which put us back in front with two minutes left. But when we executed what would have been the last kick of the game it was charged down and Malton’s flanker raced 55m to score. Final whistle, game over, we lost 27-29.

TEAM NEWS What a start to the league season. We welcomed new boys Pocklington to sample our facilities, and with cricket and rugby being played side by side on a gloriously sunny afternoon Acklam Park really sparkled. But, at the end of it all, we’d lost our unbeaten record. First reaction to our defeat was that we’d been outplayed and the result was justified. Roared on by a big contingent of vociferous supporters Pocklington played with tremendous vim and vigour, their forwards winning a lot of turn-over ball. And yet…and yet we spent most of the first period in their half, we scored three tries to one (plus a dubious penalty try), and we missed a penalty and three conversions, one plumb in front of the posts with the last kick of the match which would have earned us a draw. No, in the cold light of day, although we were some way from our best, things weren’t quite as bad as they first seemed.

But next up was Northern, a team which had just posted 64 points against Darlington. We had several players unavailable but we were delighted to welcome back Chris Horton, Peter Whittaker and Andy Micklewright, plus Jack Pierce, Toby Tremlett, Joe Secret, Matty John and Connor Fowley. Although we lost 38-24, we were in front with fifteen minutes to go and then conceded three tries. We earned a bonus point by scoring four tries ourselves, through Richie Horton, Jack Bircham and Peter Whittaker, plus a penalty try when Jack was impeded when certain to score.

Although the Wasps lost 17-0 at Northern last week they played some great rugby to beat Pocklington 41-12 the previous week, to the point that the referee was most complimentary about the team and their behaviour. The ‘A’ team are off to a flying start this season, which you can read about in the piece prepared by Team Manager Wes Crowther. I also want to draw your attention to the fact that despite the number of players unavailable throughout the Club last week, the Lions not only turned out a team, they travelled to West Hartlepool and won 43-0. With Dale Sawdon anchoring the scrum, John O’Boyle adding his expertise and Mark Fenwick scoring four tries they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The Colts’ first match of the season at home to Dinnington was approached with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation - anticipation because this team was going to combine three age groups with the U17s coming in with an enviable record through their age groups; trepidation because last season's senior Colts had done so well and few of those players would remain. Dinnington arrived with some really big lads and it was obvious that our young side would be physically smaller, in some cases much smaller, than their opponents, and our front row were all U17s. But never fear, our boys played like lions. Not content with scoring four tries in the first half, with the slope and the wind, they tuned around and added another four in the second period, winning 46-5. It was a tremendous display of tenacity and determination; you can read the match report on p9. Tomorrow they entertain Rotherham, KO 1pm.

JUNIORS There are progress and match reports on various age groups throughout the programme, but I did want to draw your particular attention to a comment made by the referee in charge of our U16s match at Darlington Mowden Park a fortnight ago, a game we lost 31-20. He took the trouble to text to Eddie Scott the following message “I reffed your U16s last week. It was an excellent game and they were a real credit to your Club – pass my thanks on to them if you get a chance please.” It’s quite a bouquet and the lads and their coaches can be very proud.

CLUB NEWS There will be another of our fantastic Wine & Cheese Evenings on Saturday 29 September for a measly £6 a ticket (available from Glenis Wright or Jan Coyne) which includes a bottle of wine of your choice, a selection of cheeses, and a quiz and games. AND Simon Moore has already started to promote tickets for the Annual Ball, to be held on Saturday 29 December at the Thistle Hotel in central Middlesbrough. This is an extremely popular event but numbers are restricted so don’t run the risk of missing out – see Simon NOW. His mobile number is 07766 011106.

SPONSORS Whatever happens on the pitch this afternoon we are assured of a lively time in the clubhouse with the two Richards, Readman and Storry, today’s sponsors, conducting affairs. W G Readman Ltd, are steel stockholders, wharfingers, suppliers and fabricators of tubular props and piles, tubes, heavy sections and sheet piling, with a marine division which are the sole UK agents for the Evren Chain Company of Turkey, supplying a wide variety of chains and accessories; Lithgow Sons & Partners, Stokesley, specialise in auctions of all forms of industrial and commercial goods and properties, as well as providing asset valuation and disposal, commercial property valuations, residential property and storage services, and are a commercial property agency. We are pleased to welcome you and your guests, and grateful for your continued support.

REFEREE’S CORNER I am delighted to welcome a newcomer to Acklam Park this afternoon, Graeme Hall, who is a Customer Services Manager for a housing and caring association. Like our referee for the Pocklington match, David Charlton, Graeme was a scrum half before he took up the whistle five years ago, playing for Ilkley, Macclesfield and Bury. I hope he enjoys his first visit and his time with us this afternoon.