WELCOME It's been a long time since I've been able to say these words, but I am delighted to welcome Whitley Bay Rockcliff back to Acklam Park. I'll wager none of you will remember their last visit to us. Here's some clues – Phil Horrocks-Taylor was our fly-half and Alan Godson and Jimmy Robinson were our tearaway flankers; we won 18-3, with the points equally divided between Mike Gavins, Keith Felce and Paul Briggs. In fact we played Rockcliff regularly during the 50s and 60s but I'm pretty sure our last meeting was on the 25 February 1967; whatismore would you believe we played 42 matches that season.

But back to the present. Our visitors were promoted to DN2 in 2004/05, securing third place four times but never quite gaining promotion. Last year, in a season when North Shields persistently threatening their position, they held top spot from the first week of the season. As a result Rockcliff were awarded the accolade of Northumberland County's 'Team of the Month' in April for their exceptional exploits over the whole season. They ended the campaign as champions of DN 2 with 26 wins out of 26 league fixtures. They were the only senior side in Northumberland to remain unbeaten throughout the season and one of only three teams across the whole Northern Division to achieve this feat. In the course of this success our visitors achieved the highest league points total (126) since the league became 14 teams in 2014/15, the highest points difference (1086) and points scored (1340) in the league ever and conceded just 254 points all season, with Redcar being the only team to secure a try-scoring bonus point against them. All-in-all it is a very impressive record.
Things were a little different at the start of this season. They kicked off at home to newly relegated Consett and lost 14-28, and followed with a trip to Novos, losing with a similar scoreline, 24-14. However they returned to their winning ways with an entertaining 51-34 win at home to Acklam last week. They were 7-0 up in the blink of an eye and 29-19 ahead at the break. The second half was just as exciting, With both teams securing a try-scoring bonus point, a late flourish from Rockcliff prevented Acklam getting a second, losing, bonus point. I hope the game today is as entertaining, with the home team coming out on top!

LEAGUE RUGBY On Saturday we entertained Novos with the raw disappointment of that last minute defeat at Northern fresh in our minds and a determination to make amends. There was a warm welcome back for Sean Maloney, our top try scorer two seasons ago but who was out of action for the whole of last season with an injury.

We started like a steam train, with Brendan immediately crossing for the first of our ten tries. Further tries from Sean, Elliot and Jamie gave us a 26-0 lead and a bonus point inside 20 minutes. However we seemed to relax after securing that bonus point, allowing Novos to score 14 well-worked points to get themselves back into the game. Tries from Ally and Jack either side of half time steadied the ship and gave us a 40-14 kead before lack of concentration allowed our visitors to take a quick penalty and stroll under the posts. That certainly woke us up; Matty Todd, Jamie, Sean and Harry all crossed, which, with Andy's eight conversions, made the final score 66-21. As a reward for his brace of tries and all-round game scrum half Jamie Watson was awarded Man of the Match by our visitors. What is even more pleasing than the ten tries we scored is the manner they were scored; all our tries this term have been run in from attacking field positions, not from try-line wrestling matches!

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE - our next game is at Stockton on FRIDAY NIGHT, under their new floodlights. And what a match Stockton's win over Northern was last week. Although scoring first Stockton were 3-12 behind after half an hours play; conceding a penalty try made the HT score 3-19. Worse was to follow – on the 60 minute mark the score was 11-34 and our neighbours looked dead and buried, but what followed in the final quarter can only be described as totally exhilarating, at least by Stocktonians, as they burst into life to run up 26 unanswered points, including a last minute converted try, against a tiring Northern to snatch a win by 37-34. And so, only three matches into the new season, it's quite odd that only one team has a 100 per cent record; that club is Consett, whilst at the bottom of the table Gateshead are alone with zero points. It could be an interesting season!

Both our Wasps and 'A' team were on CANDY league duty last week. With the fixtures reversed to facilitate a double-header the Wasps also entertained Novos; in January our 1st and 2nd teams will travel together in the return matches. Captained by Killer Kay just back from his jollies the Wasps gradually wore down the opposition and, like the 1st XV, ended with a hatful of tries, but it did take time; they led 24-15 at the break but finished the match with a 57-22 victory. Not only was the redoubtable Stumpy Man of the Match, (although he butchered what would have been a hat-trick he did convert the two tries he scored) he also got the better of the three other qualifiers in the post match Guinness competition. Meanwhile the 'A' team made the short journey to Billingham. Arriving with only 15 players, the first crucial decision for Captain Eric Windross was how to shuffle a team that included 12 forwards! They lost the game but saw some definite signs of improvement. What Eric now needs is more support and commitment from our players. The season was never going to be the stroll in the park that epitomised last season, so come on lads, roll up your sleeves and join with Eric in marching up the table. Summarised match reports by Jonno and Eric for the Wasps and 'A' team respectively are in this issue.
CLUB NEWS First, let me offer our sincere condolences to the Seymours. Three generations have donned the Middlesbrough jersey, with John first wearing our colours with pride, followed by son Tom and then latterly by grandsons Sam and Will. Sadly Caroline, wife, mother and grandmother, recently suffered a stroke and has died. Our sympathy and best wishes go to the extended Seymour family.
Coming up...TONIGHT, one hundred and eighty – it's our first social event of the season, DARTS NIGHT! I'm told some of our players take darts almost as seriously as rugby, so get out those oh-so tasteful psychedelic shirts and start thinking about your entrance music! Come on down and throw some arrows! In two weeks we have an event rekindled after a few years - LADIES DAY on 12 October. It will start at 1pm with prosecco and afternoon tea, live entertainment and a raffle with some amazing prizes in aid of the Willow Foundation and Zoe's Place. The message is – dress to impress and have a great day. There will be optional reserved access in the stand for the 1st team game against North Shields, and afterwards, players and gentlemen will be invited to join in for a convivial evening with good food and a disco/karaoke. Details are on the website and on the notice board. Two weeks later, after the Medicals game, there is a RUGBY SING SONG night. And then we're into November and our fabulous BONFIRE NIGHT before our delightful December of fun-filled festivities swings into action.
REFEREE'S CORNER I am delighted to welcome to Acklam Park Andrew Bennett, who played in the back row for Consett. He has been a referee for three years, has travelled to us today from York, and is a Captain in the Royal Artillery.

REMEMBER - STOCKTON v BORO is this FRIDAY NIGHT!