HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all. I hope you all enjoyed a thoroughly memorable Festive Season, and I wish you a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous 2019.

WELCOME And to kick off our 2019 home league programme I am pleased to welcome our visitors from O Crossleyans, Halifax, their first visit since we last joined in league combat five years ago in N1E. Like us they started the New Year with a defeat and will be looking to return to winning ways this afternoon. They began their season in terrific form, winning their opening six games and ten of their first 11, Moortown denting their otherwise perfect record. However they've lost two of their last three matches, both at home. On Saturday, against Keighley, Crocs scored first and held the lead for 70 minutes. At that stage the score was 13-8 but they'd been reduced to 14 players five minutes into the second half and their defence eventually cracked. Keighley scored a converted try and added a penalty in stoppage time. Co-incidentally in their earlier defeat by Heath Crocs were also ahead at the 70 minutes mark, having scored the only try of the match, but their opponents' fifth and sixth penalties edged them home. Crocs highest score so far, and also their biggest winning margin, is their 45-19 victory – against us!

BORO RUGBY We renewed our league campaign last week in a pulsating and close-fought game at Dinnington. The score was 7-5 in no time at all, with our hosts scoring immediately from the KO, charging down our attempted clearance kick to score under the posts, and then Euan scoring at the other end. The match ebbed and flowed with Dinnington stretching their lead before Euan stole a Dinnington line-out for Pete to barnstorm up-field and feed Rhys who scorched over the line. The half time score 15-10, but Rhys added his second to level the scores. Our opponents scored twice to take a 29-15 advantage but not daunted, back we came, with Euan scoring his second try, converted by Matty to earn us one certain bonus point and a possible second bonus point; alas with seconds to go a drop goal from the hosts make it 32-22.

I applaud the positive approach adopted by both teams and the quality of rugby served up in difficult conditions in our last game against Beverley. Continuous rain left the pitch soggy and clarty under a sky heavy with low dark clouds. Sure there were mistakes as players skidded on the greasy surface and found it difficult to hold onto the ball, but there was an abundance of thrills as well as spills. We won 21-7 but Beverley were never out of the game. I must mention young Elliot Ward. Making his home début he collected the ball at the back of a lineout outside our visitors 22 and stormed through half the Beverley team to score his maiden 1st XV try.

This was followed by another good game at Hullensians. Although we were always in front our hosts kept plugging away, ensuring we could never relax. We established a dominance in the scrum which continued all game, a superiority which led to three tries, two from pushovers scored by Shaun Kay, both converted by Baggy. Shaun's hat-trick looked a certainty, but was prevented illegally and we were awarded a penalty try instead. More pressure saw a try in the corner for Andy Micklewright. 10-19 was the half time score, which became 20-26 at the end.

It's always a pleasure to meet Stockton in the annual Alan Todd Memorial game. This year it was played at Stockton and was a cracking match – literally for Baggy, who suffered a broken arm 20 minutes into the game. Stockton are doing well in DN1 and had the upper hand in the scrums but couldn't cope with our backs. Pete and Rhys each scored hat tricks and, fittingly, both Alan's grandsons scored, Matthew with a conversion and, right at the end, Paddy scored a try which he converted himself.

We should have played Bradford Salem in a league and cup double-header after our Christmas lunch on 15 December. Lunch was on the table and four of their players arrived by car when we got the message that their bus had broken down and they couldn't complete the journey. Initially the six clubs involved in postponed matches that day were instructed by the RFU North Competitions Committee to play the following week. This was fine by us; four players rearranged their Saturday shifts, but the other five clubs weren't happy. The NCC changed tack; the game could be played on the 22nd only if both clubs agreed. No games were played. What nonsense – talk about the tail wagging the dog! I expressed our frustration that RFU instructions can so easily be changed at the whim of clubs, a point agreed by an apologetic NCC, who say it will not happen again. We will now meet on 2 February.

There are reports in the programme by Jonno on two recent Wasps games, both defeats but against clubs in higher leagues. This theme continued when they met Billingham; the Wasps lost 5-38 but the score doesn't reflect the possession and field position we enjoyed. It was 5-12 at half time, courtesy of a bull-dozing try from the impressive Matty John. He came off at half time, and when asked why he said: “I'm a finisher. I've got to come off so I can go back on.” Last week the Wasps chalked up a comfortable win at Ryton; today they are at Pontefract,

Our 'A' team made the short journey to Hartlepool to play BBOB for a top of the table clash. Our guys had a 100 per cent record and were in first place in the Tees Valley League whilst BBOB were second, having lost only twice – but they had home advantage. I am pleased to report that Tom's Troops returned with a 7-44 win and their record intact. They then travelled to Ripon for a North Yorkshire Trophy tie, where they did lose their unbeaten record, but were unfortunate to play the match on the very day Ripon 1st team were gifted a free Saturday, when O Grovians pulled out of their scheduled league match.

Our Colts have responded positively to a run of poor results, enjoying some recent success. In the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Plate they despatched Ripon 22-20 before turning on the best performance of the season to beat Barnsley 43-5. The game wasn't as one-sided as the score suggests, but the fine margins in attack and defence were edged by our boys. The Barnsley officials and supporters were so full of praise for the manner of our victory and the conduct of our players that they've expressed a wish to return for a friendly fixture later in the season. That victory in the Plate semi-finals was followed by a quarter-final match (don't ask!!) at Selby; in a close encounter the score was 12-all at half time, but our boys missed a couple of chances and Selby won 22-12. They then prepared for Christmas by beating Guisborough 52-0.

Let me congratulate our U15s, who played their first-ever game under floodlights at Horden. With tries from Esa Sfarljlani, Ryan McNally (2), Reece McDonald (2) and Jack Robinson they won 26-40. Ryan was man of the Match.

CLUB NEWS First the sad news – I am sorry to report that John Durie died the Sunday before Christmas, another victim of motor neurone disease. John has been a regular supporter of the Club for many years, even serving in that dreaded of all positions, Team Secretary, in those far-off days when we fielded five teams but had no mobile phones or computers to get in touch with players. Unless you've done it it is impossible to image how hectic Friday evenings must have been dealing with late cry-offs from all teams and trying to ensure a full turn-out for all sides. Our condolences go to Nick, Shelley and the rest of his family.

There was a kaleidoscope of festive fun last month, and a special 'Thank You' to Santa 'Westy' Claus for leading the carol singing, and to Mark 'Narnah' Jones for organising the pie baking contest; this was won by Little Dicco (for an impressive third time in eight years) – you'll know him, he's the guy in the bar every night jumping up and down to see over the counter. Carol Young and Keith Bircham were second and third respectively. And then there was the Lizard Run down Linthorpe Road. 'Nativity' was the fancy dress theme, which I mention because the last time Nativity was the theme Brad and Jonno dressed as Elvis - Fingers was supposed to join them to become the Three Kings, but he chickened out! AND huge, eventual, 'congratulations' to former captain and all-round good guy Rob Bellerby and Charlotte – they became parents to the lovely Doris at the end of November. Nothing gets past me...!!?!

REFEREE'S CORNER This afternoon I am delighted to welcome Gavin Pender back to Acklam Park, although you can be forgiven if you don't remember his earlier visit – he refereed one of our Junior teams 20 years ago! Gavin is now from Pontefract, but played scrum half for York RI and Nestles. He is a commercial plumber. I hope he enjoys his return visit and his time with us this afternoon.

BURN'S SUPPER: Friday, 1 February. Following last year's hugely enjoyable event this is highly recommended as an opportunity for yet another fantastic evening.
See Tilly for tickets.